Ancient Sling.

The article focuses on the sling, which is the considered the first ballistic weapon by man and was a staple in many arsenal for at least six millennia. The sling is comprised of two lengths of leather, sinew or braided fabric extending from a rounded pouch and is used by slipping a finger on the looped end of the cord and pinches the knotted end of the other cord between thumb and finger. Later slingers featured a notched staff to increase leverage and hurl a heavier missile, which was inspired by the siege catapult.