
What is Horsepower?
Horsepower is now considered a common unit of measurement. It is a good way for a customer to learn about the power of an engine before they purchase a car, truck or anything else that has a motor.
The term came into existence in the eighteen century. James Watt, a Scottish engineer, needed a way to communicate the power of his new steam engine to his customers. His customers were used to having horses do the labor in their coal mines and were reluctant to make a switch to the steam engine.