Catapult

Catapult
1958. Catapult. Retiendas (Guadalajara), maker unknown. Photo by José Antonio Alonso Ramos © Archivo Escuela Provincial de Folklore

Catapult

Although the photo shows a y-shaped one made of soft iron covered in copper wire, they were also made of wood, using y-shaped branches from trees. Rubber strips, usually a bit of inner tube from a bike, were tied to the tips with twine, and a leather patch was tied to the strips of rubber. The leather patch was loaded with a stone. Holding the catapult with one hand and stretching back the rubber with the other, the stone flew the air towards its target,

It was also known as a «stone-thrower» or «shooter», and widely used all over Guadalajara and the rest of Spain by all age groups, and there was even a national championship.