MACHINES AND INVENTIONS

The catapult:
"The catapult according to Nonius and Pliny is an instrument invented by that Ticlete, which threw a dart of three cubits, and with iron on three sides, thrown by means of wood released from the contraction of twisted sinews.
A bit of thin steel also springing back when released will have power to drive a dart swiftly when it stands in its course."
- Excerpt taken from MacCurdy, 1954, p. 811.
Car with scythes:
"These cars armored with scythes were of various kinds and often did no less injury to friends than they did to enemies, for the captains of the armies thinking by the use of these to throw confusion into the ranks of the enemy created fear and loss among their own men. Against these cars one should employ bowmen, slingers and hurlers of spears, and throw all manner of darts, spears, stones and bombs, with beating of drums and shouting; and those who are acting thus should be dispersed in order that the scythes do not harm them. And by this means they will spread panic among the horses and they will charge at their own side in frenzy, despite the efforts of their drivers, and so cause great obstruction and loss to their own troops. As a protection against these the Romans were accustomed to scatter iron caltrops, which brought the horses to a standstill and caused them to fall down on the ground from pain, leaving the cars without power of movement."
- Excerpt taken from MacCurdy, 1954, p. 813.
With drawing - figure of man lying face downwards working a flying machine:
"Under the body between the pit and the fork of the throat should be a chamois skin and put it there with the head and the feet.
Hold a windlass with the hands and with feet and hands together you will exert a force equal to four hundred pounds, and it will be as rapid as the movement of the heels."
- Excerpt taken from MacCurdy, 1954, p. 499.
FOR A DRAWING RELATED TO FLYING MACHINES, SEE BIRDS.