Lazy Who? It’s Lazy Susan!

Wednesday, June 21st, 2017

Have you ever wondered why a moving part of a table is called a lazy Susan? If you want to know a little back story here’s one mystery that we can investigate –

Lazy Susan is that meek part of your table that turns as plates or bowls of dishes are placed on it. Throughout the centuries, you would be surprised to find out that this useful part hasn’t changed a bit.

The lazy Susan remains popular although its origins still remain mysterious. Logic would tell that someone named Susan must have invented this revolving servers. This or its inventor had a wife named Susan.

There are two Thomases that are oddly being credited with regard to the invention of the Lazy Susan – Thomas Edison and Thomas Jefferson.

In Thomas Jefferson’s case, it was further claimed that his daughter complained that she often got the last service at the table, as a result, she never felt full when she left the dining

. Thomas Edison, on the other hand, allegedly came up with the turntable for his phonograph ‘cept that, later, it became the Lazy Susan.

There isn’t one historian that would back this claim, though.

A Relic of the ‘50s and ‘60s?

Americans often think that the lazy Susan is a remnant of the 1950s till the 1960s. Yet when you would look more closely, you would know that its history goes all the way back to the 18^th century in England – yes, all the way back in England.

Back in those days, it was probably referred to as a dumbwaiter. It could have become popular because servants were slowly dwindling in number. In the absence of reliable footmen or maids, homeowners resorted to reaching across the table to get their pitchers or condiments.

The lazy Susan helped solved this issue. There are a lot of 18^th century pieces to prove just this. Circa 1780, a mahogany Lazy Susan measuring at 16 inches in diameter was sold for $3,900 in London’s Christie’s auction house.

Despite these proofs, one cannot say that the Lazy Susan originated in London. Its name, alone, is a 20^th century concoction though the earliest pieces were already evident in the 1720s till the 1730s, still in England.

Many designers and furniture makers agree that the Lazy Susan was created to replace household help.

When it comes to print reference, the Lazy Susan was featured on the Vanity Fair magazine in December 1917. The featured piece revolved with the use of ball bearings. It was sold for $8.50 which was considered as a low wage for any servant.

The magazine ended calling Lazy Susan as the cleverest waitress in the world.

The great Henry Ford also found wonderful uses for his Lazy Susan. The Henry Ford Museum features tables used by the great car company founder. These had Lazy Susans because he loved having outings with his friends. Naturally, everything was self-served.

It was Bill Stern, director of the Museum of California design, who called the Lazy Susan as an outgrowth of the Southern ‘50s and ‘60s California. Many collectors now covet the mid-century models because they came with decorative dishes that surround a larger casserole at the center.

There were even multi-tiered designs which were made by the local pottery makers. It was no surprise that these, too, became quite popular.

The Lazy Susan Today

Now, more than ever, Lazy Susans are growing more popular. A lot of websites are offering sleek to ornate designs. It definitely has gone a long way from its Revolving Server or Lazy Susan advertisement on Vanity Fair.

If there’s one thing that’s certain about the Lazy Susan, it is that it’s common and quite simple to use. You might want to have one in your home soon.

Tags: history of the Lazy Susan, Lazy Susan, Lazy Susan history, Lazy Susans, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Dining Room Design, Furniture, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Lazy Who? It’s Lazy Susan!