Leonardo Da Vinci: The 9 Inventions of the Greatest Mind

#7. Catapult

Leonardo’s design for the catapult is both simple and ingenious. It involves a pawl and rachet system which incrementally tightens the firing system. As the system is tightened, the forces put into the system by the operator (1 soldier) are transferred to both the ropes and tension arms of the catapult. Upon releasing the firing pin (the pawl), the stored energy is instantly transferred from the ropes and tensioning arms to the swing arm which would contain a lead ball/cannonball.