The term "horsepower" was founded not on the strength of the horse, and the strength of the ponies Bashny.Net

Shepherd, of course, belongs to the family of horses, but this term does not become more accurate. It was coined by the Scottish engineer James Watt, who is known for having raised the efficiency of steam engines, and gave his name to one power - Watts. Watt was working with ponies, which raised the coal from the mine, and calculated how much work can make a pony 1 minute. He then randomly added to the result of 50%, and that has turned out, called "one horsepower».

via factroom.ru