Axel Karlson had been producing a product known as "Karlsons Klister" ("klister" being Swedish for glue), which was originally intended for use in the repair of women's stockings, but had quickly found use in other applications as well. In February 1929, Karlson convinced Nils F. Testor(1903-1967), then the manager of an F.W. Woolworth store in the Swedish district of Rockford, Illinois, to serve as office manager of his new enterprise. It was a relatively risky move for Testor, who began his career as a stockroom boy in Woolworth's Chicago store on State Street. Karlson's Klister ultimately proved unsuccessful and Karlson returned home to Sweden. Testor borrowed enough money to purchase the firm's assets and founded "The Testor Chemical Company".