Catapult
device · 400 BC · Ancient world
A throwing machine that stores energy in elastic parts.
What it is made of
- Twisted rope skeins — has part. Twisted skeins store energy.
- Throwing arm — has part. The arm that throws the projectile.
- Winding windlass — has part. It draws the lever.
- Wooden frame — has part. The base.
Principles and materials it uses
- Elasticity — uses. A torsion catapult stored energy in twisted skeins.
- Wood — is made of. The frame of a catapult is wooden.
- Sinew — is made of. Torsion springs were twisted from sinew.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Trebuchet — evolved into. The trebuchet replaced torsion engines as a more powerful siege machine.
What it is a kind of
- Combat vehicle — is a kind of. A siege engine.