The term "Lazy Susan" didn't appear until the early 20th century. Its exact origin is debated, but several theories exist:
The Lazy Susan—that rotating tray found on dining tables, in cupboards, and on countertops—is a classic convenience, but its origins are surprisingly unclear. No single person holds a patent for the very first Lazy Susan, and its invention is more of a gradual evolution than a eureka moment. who invented lazy susan
(1950s): An engineer and soy sauce manufacturer who is credited with the modern redesign using ball bearings. He reintroduced the device in popular San Francisco Chinese restaurants like Johnny Kan's, which led to its global ubiquity in Chinese dining. Dr. Wu Lien-Teh The term "Lazy Susan" didn't appear until the
The most popular theory credits Thomas Jefferson with an early version. In the late 18th century, Jefferson’s daughter complained of being served last at the dinner table. To solve this, Jefferson supposedly devised a “dumbwaiter”—a revolving serving stand placed in the center of the table, allowing guests to help themselves. While Jefferson’s invention was similar in concept, it wasn’t called a Lazy Susan. (1950s): An engineer and soy sauce manufacturer who
The invention of the is a mystery with no single creator to claim the crown . Instead, its history is a blend of 18th-century European furniture, American folk legends, and a 20th-century resurgence in Chinese-American dining. The Early "Dumbwaiter" Origins (1700s)
Another plausible origin is purely commercial: In the 1910s and 1920s, several companies began selling “revolving servers” or “lazy susans” as labor-saving devices for housewives—eliminating the need to reach across the table. The term may have been a catchy marketing phrase, combining “lazy” (since the server does the work of passing dishes) with the common female name “Susan.”
Many widely cited stories about the invention are considered legends rather than historical facts: