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Paddleboat, Self-propelled cart, Catapult – Elenco Swing Bridge User Manual

Page 16: Bombard

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Paddleboat

In Da Vinci’s time, nautical expedition was

the most expedient method of communicating

with the world and his design for a boat

with large wheel-shaped paddles that

would propel it through water offered a faster

and easier method of water transportation.

Self-Propelled Cart

Da Vinci’s self-propelled cart was the first

to be capable of moving without being

pushed or pulled manually. This precursor to

the automobile was one of the many inventions

that Leonardo created dealing with locomotion and

transportation.

Catapult

Improvements were made to the age-old military

launching device called a catapult.

The new design employed a hand-crank that

caused tension on the throw arm.

The spring design produced a large amount

of energy in order to propel stone projectiles or

incendiary materials over great distances.

Bombard

This improved cannon was designed to

include projectiles that contained a quantity

of mini gunpowder shots packed into petal-shaped

iron pieces that formed a ball.

The device exploded into fragments that had greater

range and impact than a single cannonball.

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