Potato Pancakes originated in the eastern European countries of Germany Austria, Russia and Poland as a peasant food.
In the days when potato pancakes originated the potatoes were very plentiful and cheap and so people came up with ideas for more recipes to make all sorts of recipes for potatoes.
So the potato pancake was invented and became a staple food all over the world.
In the 1940's many Americans made and ate potato pancakes because they were great to eat and the potatoes were still cheap and plentiful as well.
Even today potatoes are pretty cheap and are also plentiful as we have billions of potatoes and potatoes can be made into just about anything for a quick and easy meal.
I love potato pancakes and so does my husband and kids.