History of Projectile Machines

The first projectile machines invented were the throwing spears invented by the Roman legionary. Which were then transformed into arrows powered by a bow. They found that the bow allowed them to transfer more kinetic energy toward their opponents, at far greater distances. The bow used stored mechanical energy to do this. They also used the arrow because it had a refined penetration point, allowing more force to be transferred in one place. Feathers on the end of the arrow were used to keep the arrow uniform and to fly in a straight line for greater accuracy.

Soon after the bow and arrow the catapult rose from the dark. The art of war changed dramatically from that day on. The Catapult was the first form of field artillery to be used during battles. The word catapult comes from the combination of the Greek words "kata" and "pultos". Kata, meaning downward and pultos meaning a small circular shield carried in battle. The first cata

After the discovery of gun powder, transferring chemical energy to a projectile in order to deliver an extremely powerful amount of kinetic energy was used to create cannons. The first cannon was built in the year 1775. The use of gunpowder did not spread quickly because unfortunately at first the cannon had less power than the trebuchet. The power of the cannon continued to become more powerful until it was finally more powerful than trebuchet. The cannon was so devastating because it could shoot huge iron canon balls that weighed 1200 pounds. Most cannons equipped with the cannonball weighed around 3200 lbs. The cannon was very powerful and had the ability to kill but the only downfall was that because of it's weight it was hard to transport. An average cannon had to be dragged by about 20 horses, that's why cannons were created in smaller sizes because it meant that they could move them around easier. The smaller cannons were very good to fend off invading troops and sometimes even ships. The smallest cannon weighed 32 pounds and loaded with a cannonball weighed 52 pounds. Although it was small it could still shoot the same distance as the big ones.

Another type of catapult is the torture catapult. Unlike any other catapult the torture catapult uses tension from the shaft to launch an object out of a basket. When the shaft is bent to its full extent the object is flung from the basket.

Although the ballista was a great weapon it was hard to construct, therefore the Romans developed a new version called the Mangonel. It, like the Ballista also got it's power from sinew ropes but unlike the ballista which used two arms, the Mangonel only used one arm. To make the Mangonel easier to transport the Romans added wheels. It was very light and could hurl objects such as rocks, burning projectiles or pretty much just about anything found on the battlefield.

Some topics in this essay:
Jordanus Nemore, , Traction Trebuchets, WWI British, Century Chinese, Somme Tanks, Niccolo Tartagli, Mangonel Ballista, Earlier Greeks, projectile machines, horizontal velocity, gun powder, projectile motion, equal initial, vertical velocity, equal initial vertical, path projectile, kinetic energy, played role, sinew ropes, able launch projectiles, projectile motion object, track laying vehicle, catapult torture catapult,