Horse Power

[wa8yxm]

Thought this would be a great place for a trivia question:

Without looking it up... Anyone know how they figured one horse power in the old days?

(I mean today it is described with a lot of math, but in the old days it had a more practical definition)

[Mr_D]

How much work a draft horse could do in one minute. Used by James Watt to sell steam engines to mine owners

[dcphil_98]

I have a 45' 500hp Cummins towing a Ford Explorer Sport. I have no problems with hills/mountains. But this is my theory--why worry about it.

On a long grade, I do not maximize my speed. I have time. In a 5000 mile trip, you may have 3-4 long grades. Just take a few minutes and max gas milage. I have had 350 and 400 HP and still got to my destination. Just take your time and enjoy the trip. Big trucks will pass you on the flats and down hill, but we wave at them going up hill and mumble to them "get a bigger motor."