Dual use technology from prehistoric era to modern age: Utilization of crossbow as a lethal weapon and an agricultural cum research device

Abstract

Designed by the Vedic God Shiva, the crossbow has gone beyond mythical lore and became a tool of strategic warfare in helping decimate knights, paladins and armored cavalry by arbalests or men who shoot crossbows. This ancient design has stood the test of time and has still found favor with not only action cinema, but also the hunting community and the special forces across the world. It is interesting to note that the Far eastern as well as Nordic texts term it as a favorite tool of dragon slayers, it had found major applications in hunting whales, sharks and other edible marine harvests. Certain countries in the northern hemisphere issue crossbow licenses to farmers in ensuring crop protection from vermin as well as harvesting organic meat from any overpopulating species in a given area. Additionally, it has been extensively used to build rope based connectivity using hooks when a huge gap needs to be crossed. It has also evolved as a tool to track oceanic activities by pegging sensors on its tips to etch it on whales and thus gather crucial data as they navigate the sea. This evolution from an armor piercing weapon to a civilian application device goes to the next level when a crossbow bolt is used to gain atmospheric and aerial data without fear of gaseous exhaust or electro-magnetic fields of drones. The next progression may be of ‘Cold launch missiles’ that are nearly undetectable and may change the course of military technology in the times to come.