He invented a revolving bookcase and ran the John Danner Manufacturing Company in Canton, Ohio.

[1] Danner started his career as a clerk in the dry goods store of Martin Wikidal.

[1][2][3] His bookcase hangs suspended from a simple cast iron bearing which sits on top of an inner column or post.

The revolving mechanism consists of two nesting cast iron cones that provide a precise pivot point supporting the entire weight of the bookcase.

The top support suspension design addressed the binding and racking problems of previous bottom bearing Lazy Susan type bookcases.

"These cases, with their immense load, revolve with a slight touch of the hand; are noiseless in operation, and will last a lifetime.

Danner and his wife had seven children, Anna, Mary E., Julia A., Harriet N., Edith R., John N. and Almina T.[1] He was a member of the First Baptist Church.