There's no specific group or individual who invented the five second rule. Instead, the five second rule was part of folklore and it is a myth.

There is a five second rule for a throw in.

his "five-second rule," which dictates that one's first instinct is the right one (April 15, 2002).

The 5-second rule is bogus. As soon as food hits the floor, it is contaminated.

It is called the five second rule because it takes germs about 5 seconds to catch on to food. So when you drop your food and pick it up within five seconds, chances are it is still good to eat.