Thomas Jefferson is reputed to have invented the Lazy Susan, which has been in popular use since the 18th Century [citation needed]. Lazy Susans were originally known as dumbwaiters, although the name ‘Lazy Susan’ replaced this term in the 20th Century, though no earlier than 1917 [citation needed ]. In many parts of the world including Britain, the term “dumb waiter”
nowadays means something completely different: a lift or elevator for transporting items such as food and plates between floors of a house, usually from a kitchen to a dining room.

The name Lazy Susan is sometimes thought to have originated from a lazy house servant named Susan. This theory however, has little standing as house servants were uncommon by the time the term was used [citation needed ]. A more rational explanation is that the term Lazy Susan has a more rhythmic appeal, and so made marketing the product easier [citation needed] . It is also speculated that the house servant story was concocted by the same marketeers [citation needed].

Another theory of the origin of the name Lazy Susan is that the device was named after Jefferson’s daughter Susan, for whom he designed the Lazy Susan [citation needed]. Jefferson had designed it after Susan had complained that she was usually served last and left the table hungry [citation needed ].

Thomas Edison is another reputed inventor of the Lazy Susan [ citation needed]. He is said to have invented the Lazy Susan, or turntable, for use in his phonograph [citation needed]. The origin of the name Susan also stems from his daughter [citation needed].