Real answer: Horsepower originates from the potential sustained work of a (more-or-less) average horse of the 18th century. A horse at full speed is outputting more-than-one-horsepower - at a gallop, they’re outputting 10 horsepower or more.
I just went down a rabbit hole as a result of your reply. Thank you!
The horsepower was defined by James Watt as a way to compare his steam engines against draft horses. The unit of power in use today is Watt and is named after him.
Joke answer: Style
Real answer: Horsepower originates from the potential sustained work of a (more-or-less) average horse of the 18th century. A horse at full speed is outputting more-than-one-horsepower - at a gallop, they’re outputting 10 horsepower or more.
Hmm … style over substance 😇
I just went down a rabbit hole as a result of your reply. Thank you!
The horsepower was defined by James Watt as a way to compare his steam engines against draft horses. The unit of power in use today is Watt and is named after him.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower
For a giggle, if you’re into SI units, look at the definition of a horsepower.