Slingshots in the Roman Empire?
2,922All modern slingshots are based on vulcanized rubber. The process was invented in 1839 by Charles Goodyear, so before that invention, rubber wasn't a useable energy storage media for weapons at all.
However, boys will be boys, and so there no doubts was a need for "badass" weapons even in ancient times.
This video looks at the "David" sling and the staff sling, two ancient weapons that can hurl a heavy object with much force. But the accuracy was critical, as the thrower needs a lot of practice to hit the target.
Therefore The Slingshot Channel presents a slingshot that uses hemp rope instead of rubber - a material that was readily available in Roman times. Since hemp is not flexible, bundles of it are used as torsion springs - the rotational force of the twisted stacks are used to swing two poles, with a slingshot pouch attached.
The weapon shoots much like a modern slingshot - but of course it is weak in comparison. However, it can shatter a bottle easily, as shown in the video!
As a bonus, a GoPro camera is shot up in the air with the blunderbuss slingshot crossbow. Some nice photos came out of that attempt!
A "The Slingshot Channel" production.