My grandfather was apparently known quite widely as "Mr. Horsepower". He would go around to people's farms with his 25 horsepower steam engine and win tug-of-war competitions against 100 horsepower combustion engines. He'd then give lectures on why this was possible.
The crux of the matter is that horsepower is an instantaneous measure. There's a sweet spot just after the combustion where a 100 hp engine is indeed producing 100 hp, but it doesn't last for very long. Steam engines generate power more evenly (more area under the curve) so ones that are rated for less power may in fact be capable of more work.
There wasn't much about him for an eight year old to appreciate, but every time I see an article on steam power I end up wishing he'd have lived longer so I could've known him as an adult.
The crux of the matter is that horsepower is an instantaneous measure. There's a sweet spot just after the combustion where a 100 hp engine is indeed producing 100 hp, but it doesn't last for very long. Steam engines generate power more evenly (more area under the curve) so ones that are rated for less power may in fact be capable of more work.
There wasn't much about him for an eight year old to appreciate, but every time I see an article on steam power I end up wishing he'd have lived longer so I could've known him as an adult.