Leonardo da Vinci designed a springald, a spring-powered launcher for stones or bolts.
A springald uses stored energy in a large spring or bundle of elastic material to propel a projectile. Leonardo studied versions of this ancient and medieval siege principle, adapting it through careful attention to frames, arms, winding systems, and release mechanisms.
The weapon belongs to Leonardo’s extensive body of military engineering, which included artillery, fortifications, bridges, and battlefield machines. His notebooks frequently combine an established weapon type with new mechanical arrangements intended to improve power, portability, or rate of operation.
A springald is not the same as a trebuchet. A trebuchet uses a pivoting beam and counterweight or traction, while a springald relies on stored elastic energy. It is also not a cannon, because the projectile is launched mechanically rather than by an explosive propellant. Leonardo’s drawings document design work, not a confirmed battlefield deployment.