The intended use was hurl projectiles towards targets. Explosives were not needed.
They used the catapult for war.
Owen designed a new catapult for the navy to use on its aircraft carriers. Lady Taylor Smith
You use a catapult to launch things into the air.
catapults were used for war
catapult
That the catapult can fire things over a long distance and we don't usually use the catapult in war any more, as they used to a long time ago.
1734-1785 Medieval Period
The exact first person ever to construct a catapult is unknown, however, the first civilisation to use the catapult was Rome, who designed catapults as siege weapons to aid in the expansion of its empire. The catapult was later adopted by other nationalities whowarred against each other.
A simple way to build a catapult for kids to play with would be to use the seesaw as a model. A seesaw with a basket on one side to hold what is going to be flung would be perfect as a catapult.
catapult
you make a catapult!
A catapult, some rope and a javalin