Horsepower in the U.S.A.

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Total horsepower of all prime movers of the United States 1900-1985.
Reference: Historical Statistics of the United States, Statistical Abstract of the United States 1987, Department of Commerce, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
Year 1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985	[million HP] 64 139 435 1664 2773 4754 7158 11008 15096 20408 25100 28992 32529
In 1985, therefor, there was 50 times as much prime mover horespower as in 1900. The population in 1900 was approximately 76 million The population in 1985 was approximately 237 million. In 1900 there was 1.2 HP / person In 1985 there was 137 HP / person Therefor, in 1985, there was more than 100 times as much HP / person as there was in 1900. Since available prime mover horsepower must be very closely related to "wealth" -- you would not be far off claiming that the wealth / person in 1985 was more than 100 times the wealth / person in 1900. One would think that such an enormous increase in wealth would make it possible for our country to afford health care for everyone and much more leisure time for everyone -- on the order of 10 times the leisure time? Why is that not true? Where are we wasting all that wealth? Please check my math. Martin R. Carbone

Total horsepower of all prime movers of the United States 1900-1985.

Reference: Historical Statistics of the United States, Statistical Abstract of the United States 1987, Department of Commerce, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

Year

1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
1950
1955
1960
1965
1970
1975
1980
1985

[million HP]

64
139
435
1664
2773
4754
7158
11008
15096
20408
25100
28992
32529

In 1985, therefor, there was 50 times as much prime mover horespower as in 1900.

The population in 1900 was approximately 76 million
The population in 1985 was approximately 237 million.

In 1900 there was 1.2 HP / person
In 1985 there was 137 HP / person

Therefor, in 1985, there was more than 100 times as much HP / person as there was in 1900.

Since available prime mover horsepower must be very closely related to "wealth" -- you would not be far off claiming that the wealth / person in 1985 was more than 100 times the wealth / person in 1900.

One would think that such an enormous increase in wealth would make it possible for our country to afford health care for everyone and much more leisure time for everyone -- on the order of 10 times the leisure time?

Why is that not true? Where are we wasting all that wealth?

Please check my math.

Martin R. Carbone