The invention of the food processor can be credited to Pierre Verdon. Verdon called this antique food processor the Le Magi-Mix. The Le Magi-Mix was a smaller, compact version of a commercial appliance that served a similar purpose, also invented by Verdon.
Verdon first introduced the Robot-Coupe to Paris, France, in 1971. This food processor was intended for commercial use, helping restaurants keep up with the numerous food processing tasks. He later adapted the invention for residential use.
The food processor didn't immediately take off for residential users. American inventor Carl Sontheimer made some improvements to the compact food processor and shared it at an exhibition in Chicago, Illinois. This led to a large number of U.S. manufacturers making their own versions of the food processor, significantly increasing the number of them sold.
Today, food processors continue to be a popular appliance in both U.S. and European households.