Convert Pound to Short Ton

The pound has its origins in ancient Rome, where it was known as the libra, a unit of weight equivalent to around 327 grams. The term pound comes from the Latin word "libra", which was used to refer to both the Roman pound and the unit of weight for trade. Over time, the pound evolved through various forms, including the Avoirdupois pound used in medieval England, which was based on a system of 16 ounces. The Avoirdupois pound became the standard for most goods in the U.S. and Britain by the 14th century and was later standardized internationally, with its value fixed to the kilogram in the 20th century.

The short ton originated in the U.S. as a way to standardize weight measurements, particularly for bulk commodities like coal and steel. It is called "short" to distinguish it from the long ton (also known as the imperial ton), which is used in the UK and equals 2,240 pounds. The short ton became widely used in the United States during the 19th century as part of the U.S. customary system of measurements.