In wars of antiquity, no weapon greater terror than the catapult. With reference to the sources, catapults were known for throwing a multitude of objects at the enemy. Different objects would cause different levels of damage, every material that you can think of could become one of the sources, such as stones, darts, quicklime, burning tar or sand (Mangonel/Trebuchet), even is the dead animals or diseased corpses.

Although nowaday, it has improved living standards and does not have war between nations, the usage and appearance of catapults did not completely disappear, we also can find some related content or some linkage behind.

According to the article (Physics of Catapults), it mentions the catapults are used in target practice to shoot clay pigeons now. Also, most commonly used is to launch planes into the air. Like an aircraft carrier, due to it not having the runway space for it to accelerate to take off, so the function of a catapult mainly is used to propel itself into the air in a very short distance.

In nowadays, catapults are also an excellent tool for different objectives and educational needs. It demonstrate a extensive topics as a educators, such as demonstrate physics with catapults’ projectile motion which create the opportunity for students to observe gravity as well as potential and kinetic energy or launching a projectile displays the geometric arc known as the parabola which is related in mathematics, particularly geometry and algebra. Thus, let them think out of the box.

In addition, if the students join the scout, they need to make catapults during that period. Not only to be familiar with the catapult concept behind, but also it can indirectly train their communication skill and team spirit, and learn about how to work with other peoples.

Last but not least, catapults can serve entertainment purposes as well. According to Dotson, he pointed out that in some countries, it has a game called “pumpkin chucking” in autumn which uses catapults to launch pumpkins into the air. Now, it is not only just a game, but also a traditional event to perform ancient technology in an innovative way.