Gizmo Quiz

What is this?

[Lilliabeth]

This isn't the real thing, just a model, but what is it a model of?

Gizmo [pg.photos.yahoo.com]

[macrost]

an ancient elevator of some kind?

[Lilliabeth]

Hi!

Not an elevator

[macrost]

A type of trebuchet?
nevermind :)

[Lilliabeth]

No, but you are close

[macrost]

Do the forks hold something?

[Lilliabeth]

No, the forks don't hold anything.

[macrost]

Seems like an early type of catapult or onager.

[PhraSEOlogy]

Monthy Python cow tossing machine?

[Lilliabeth]

Again, you are close, but it was not used to send objects flying thru the air.

[Lilliabeth]

No cow tossing

[PhraSEOlogy]

Medieval Crane for lifting rocks.

[Lilliabeth]

Not a crane

[macrost]

But one that rolls boulders down a hill.

[Lilliabeth]

Does not roll boulders

[macrost]

Measuring device?

[Lilliabeth]

Does not measure.

[PatrickDeese]

... a better mouse trap? :P

or perhaps a device used in mining?

[Lilliabeth]

Not used in mining.

Not for mice, but you could say it is a trap.

[macrost]

How about a reloader for a catapult? :)

[Lilliabeth]

not a reloader for a catapult. I read that they were probably not reusable. The makers of the model could not figure how to reset it, and decided it was probably not used more than one time.

It was used in warfare, but as a defensive weapon, not an offensive weapon.

[PhraSEOlogy]

Is it an automatic barrier for blocking a path?

[Chndru]

bomb miner?

[Lilliabeth]

It is automatic, and its use would likely block a path of travel, but that is really a secondary result of its primary function.

[Lilliabeth]

not a bomb miner

[Chndru]

sai?

[Lilliabeth]

not an sai, which I understand to be an offensive object used against a sword.

It is really big.

[Lilliabeth]

The rocks in the bottom hold it down.

[Lilliabeth]

I read that the part that has been referred here as the fork was actually called a claw, and was made of either wood or metal.

[macrost]

Did it somehow help to protect against sappers?