Modern use Catapult

1 modern use

1.1 military
1.2 entertainment
1.3 other

modern use
military

french troops using catapult throw hand grenades , other explosives during world war i

the last large scale military use of catapults during trench warfare of world war i. during stages of war, catapults used throw hand grenades across no man s land enemy trenches. replaced small mortars.

in 1840s invention of vulcanized rubber allowed making of small hand-held catapults, either improvised y-shaped sticks or manufactured sale; both popular children , teenagers. these devices known slingshots in usa.

special variants called aircraft catapults used launch planes land bases , sea carriers when takeoff runway short powered takeoff or impractical extend. ships use them launch torpedoes , deploy bombs against submarines. small catapults, referred traps , still used launch clay targets air in sport of clay pigeon shooting.

entertainment

in 1990s , 2000s, powerful catapult, trebuchet, used thrill-seekers first on private property , in 2001-2002 @ middlemoor water park, somerset, england experience being catapulted through air 100 feet (30 m). practice has been discontinued due fatality @ water park. there had been injury when trebuchet in use on private property. injury , death occurred when 2 participants failed land onto safety net. operators of trebuchet tried, found not guilty of manslaughter, though jury noted fatality might have been avoided had operators imposed stricter safety measures. human cannonball circus acts use catapult launch mechanism, rather gunpowder, , risky ventures human cannonballs.

early launched roller coasters used catapult system powered diesel engine or dropped weight acquire momentum, such shuttle loop installations between 1977-1978. catapult system roller coasters has been replaced flywheels , later linear motors.

pumpkin chunking popularized use, in people compete see can launch pumpkin farthest mechanical means (although world record held pneumatic air cannon).

other

in january 2011, homemade catapult discovered used smuggle cannabis united states mexico. machine found 20 feet border fence 4.4 pounds (2.0 kg) bales of cannabis ready launch.