There’s something magical about the sound of a wooden spice rack gently spinning underneath a kitchen cabinet — the quiet creak of wood, the light clink of glass jars brushing against each other. It was a staple in Grandma’s kitchen for many of us who were reared in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. You’d be up on tiptoe, rotating it with childish curiosity, gazing at the colorful labels on jars of paprika, cinnamon, oregano. It wasn’t just another practical kitchen tool; it was a bit of culinary theater. The spice rack made the rounds with a hanging carousel of spices.
The swing-arm spice carousel was a symbol of the optimism and creativity of postwar America. There were smaller kitchens, but larger families, so efficient use of space was considered paramount. Cabinets began to house all kinds of smart solutions, from fold-out ironing boards and built-in cutting boards. Of course, there was the rotating spice rack. By being installed beneath the cabinet, it cleared precious counter space. It kept prime spices at arm’s length, which was a modern convenience for the home cooks of the day.
Derivative of the lazy Susan — a rotating tray dating back to at least the 18th century — is the spice carousel. Its provenance is uncertain, but by the early years of the 20th century it was a staple of an English dining table, used to pass condiments and dishes. By the middle of the century, its uses extended to the kitchen, where it became the literal hanging spice rack we know today.
This hanging version likely gained favor during the post-war housing explosion of the 1940s and ’50s. New suburban houses had minuscule but efficient kitchens. Space counted for every inch. The spice carousel became an emblem of this move toward modern convenience, appealing to the frazzled homemaker. She had family dinners and PTA meetings to get to, not to mention another cup of percolated coffee to drink.