ingenium, n. (lat) 1. innate or natural quality, nature, temperament, character, bent, inclination, natural ability, talent, genius, clever person. 2. a device derived from genius.

In 1996, I was working at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh and, in looking for an activity for young visitors and a catapult was suggested. I suggested a trebuchet and proceeded to build several of these counterweight siege engines. Since making my plans available on the internet, my website has received over 25,000 hits per year and I have received at least one e-mail a week from people requesting additional assistance.

This website is in celebration of ingenious machines, some of those I own and have built, and some assistance for those wishing to build their own. It began with the trebuchet. I've added paintball. In the future I intend to add slings, catapults, ballistae, atlatl, potato canon and who can foresee what else.

See mention of my trebs in the October 2006 Issue of Popular Mechanics.