Kenneth Kogut of Concord, Calif., asks for the derivation of “horsepower.” The term was coined by steam-engine innovator James Watt circa 1782, based on the work of ponies at a coal mine. Finding they could do about 22,000 foot-pounds of work per minute, he made a horsepower 50 percent more, 33,000 foot-pounds, equal to about 745 watts.
Maria Roach, daughter of film producer Hal Roach of “Little Rascals” and “Laurel and Hardy” fame, was once married to an eminent American:
A) Astronaut
B) Composer
C) Software developer
D) Talk-show host
Answer Monday
Thursday’s answer: Washington, D.C.’s National Gallery of Art is located at the former site of the Sixth Street railway station, where President James Garfield was shot in 1881.
Send questions/comments to the editors.