But when it comes to the four-legged, living, breathing counterparts, how much horsepower does a horse have?
Defining Horsepower in Machines:
Before we delve into the equine aspect, it's essential to understand the origin of the term. James Watt, an 18th-century Scottish engineer, sought a way to market his steam engines. To demonstrate their power, he needed a relatable comparison for his clients, and what better than the common workhorse? He calculated that a horse could turn a mill wheel, lifting coal from a mine, at a rate of 550 foot-pounds per second. This measurement became the standard unit of power known as one horsepower.
