Answer: “Horsepower” is called so because it was coined by James Watt, who used the term to market and compare the power output of his steam engines to the work done by horses, making the concept relatable to people in the 18th century.

James Watt, the 18th-century Scottish engineer, coined the term “horsepower” to market and compare the power output of his steam engines. Seeking a relatable reference, Watt calculated that one horsepower equaled the work done by a horse lifting coal from a mine. By using horses as a familiar benchmark, Watt aimed to make the concept of engine power more accessible to the public. The term “horsepower” has since become a standard unit of power measurement, ingrained in various engineering contexts. Watt’s clever association with the familiar work of horses helped bridge the understanding and acceptance of the emerging steam engine technology, solidifying the term’s place in the history of mechanical power measurement.