The commander of the invading horde

Ohio University's Trebuchet of Love

Unlike many institutions of higher learning, Ohio University has its own trebuchet.
It was made during down time by the theater department's propmasters and has been in storage for years. But it was hauled out and demonstrated for incoming freshmen -- and perhaps it served as a warning that should the theater department decide to launch an invasion, it would mean business.

26 Aug 2017

141 visits

The commander of the invading horde

Waving a sword, Thomas Fiocchi explains the trebuchet to incoming freshmen taking part in the Welcome Weekend at the College of Fine Arts. Students said the demonstration was not what they were expecting but it left a favorable impression.

26 Aug 2017

144 visits

The trebuchet is fired, with effect

As Thomas "Tom from the Prop Shop" Fiocchi looked on, the water-filled battle balloon launched by the OU Theater Department's trebuchet hit its target who, soaked, surrendered immediately.

26 Aug 2017

143 visits

Preparing another shot

Student assistants prepare the trebuchet, a copy of one used in a real 12th-century siege, to fire. The real machine was larger and fired stones and other items at the enemy, water balloons having not yet been invented. The weight at the machine's left center falls, giving oomph to the long, balloon-flinging arm at right.

26 Aug 2017

170 visits

The fiendish missile takes flight

The moment when the sling at the end of the terbuchet's arm lets go of the water balloon, which has gotten temporarily distorted by the force of the fling. A few of the demonstration balloons couldn't take it and exploded as they flew from the sling.

26 Aug 2017

157 visits

It nears its target

The water-filled siege missile closes in on the poor student target.

26 Aug 2017

168 visits

Doomed!

It is a direct hit.

26 Aug 2017

165 visits

A soggy aftermath

His puny shield is no defense against the power of the mighty OU Theater Department. The sodden victim is Nathan Arnold, a junior from West Lafayette.