The document summarizes the history and evolution of catapult technology from ancient times. It describes how early tension catapults used bending wood or animal horns as power sources, while later torsion catapults relied on tightly coiled ropes to hurl projectiles. Traction trebuchets introduced levers for quick operation and accuracy. The most advanced gravity trebuchets generated power from very heavy falling weights to launch projectiles over even greater distances.

1. “Catapult into History” By Wesley O’Quinn

2. Tension Catapults These were the earliest types of Catapults which were invented by the Greeks and were like a large bow and arrows. In general, these early catapults obtained their shooting power from bending back a wooden or animal horn bow or leaf spring.

3. Torsion Catapults Previously having relied on tension, the Greek engineers came up with the idea of using rope strung into tight coils as a power source. Torsion catapults were relatively easy to produce and capable of inflicting a lot of damage. Think of how much it hurts to be hit by a stone that someone throws at you. Now imagine being hit by a rock at least the size of your head that is traveling at 100 miles per hour or faster.

4. Traction Trebuchets These were lever-based machines designed by ancient engineers to operate quickly and be very accurate. When a human operator pulled down on a lever, the catapult hurled a rock much farther than a person could hope to.

5. Gravity Trebuchets These were the last advance in catapult technology; gravity trebuchets relied on very heavy weights to launch projectiles.