Don't know the history of the BTU, but my Grandfather cut ice from the Great Lakes and stored underground for delivery. My Dad was a fridgy for 30+ years, I was born with freon in my blood, accounts for my depleted grey matter and receding hairline. I would hope we've risen above the old seaman's calculation on that stormy night.
Maybe not though, all the people confused by the principles behind the removal of heat from where it does matter to someplace where it does'nt matter will always pay!
When will North America embrace the Metric system? Makes sense for the whole world to use units derived from the decimal point instead of archaic standard measurements like the inch, foot, yard. Or oz. lb. ton.
Canada made a move to match the world 25+ years ago, and the Ewe's Ass still clings to ye olde measurement system.
What's up wid dat!
Watts New, Ohm My, I been Electrically Commutated. Are U2.