THIS IS how far Silas Bernardoni can heave a pumpkin. Imagine him standing on the 50-yard line at Camp Randall. From there, Bernardoni could send the pumpkin clear out of the stadium.
Not by himself, of course. Bernardoni, a senior in engineering at UW-Madison, utilizes a trebuchet – a large catapult-like device that was once employed by invading armies to hurl stones at castle walls.
Mostly obsolete since the 1300s, the trebuchet has of late made something of a comeback, as engineering enthusiasts and others have staged competitions and teachers have learned that the visually stunning trebuchet tosses can get students excited about science.
….Bernardoni has since gained a supporter in UW-Madison Chancellor John Wiley and thinks a world record pumpkin launch may be in reach.