Catapult [best] -

: Named after the wild ass for its "kick," this Roman engine featured a heavy arm that struck a padded crossbar to release its load.

At its core, a catapult is a lesson in physics. It functions by converting stored potential energy (from bent wood, twisted rope, or a raised weight) into kinetic energy. catapult

The fern cavitation catapult: mechanism and design principles : Named after the wild ass for its

: Functioning like a massive crossbow, it used tension to fire heavy bolts or stones with high precision. catapult

: Introduced later in the medieval period, the trebuchet utilized a massive counterweight to provide significantly more power and range than torsion-based engines. Physics and Engineering Principles