This siege weapon was used in Medieval Times. It was used to
hurl rocks against castle walls. The counterbalance weight on
the end of the main arm would be many tons in weight and close
to the pivot point. A short, slow movement by the counterbalance
weight uses the leverage of the long arm to create a long, fast
movement at the other end of the arm. The sling shot at the
end provides further magnification of the speed. The result
is a ball, as much as 300lbs in weight being flung at over 100mph
with huge destructive force.
When a castle was under siege dead animals were sometimes flung
into the castle to spread disease.
No sheep were hurt in the making of this animation
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