longbow: Quick Facts

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Longbow and arrows

Front and side views of (left) longbow and (right) modern composite bow relaxed, braced, and fully drawn

Illustration of three historical archers: one standing and drawing a longbow, another aiming a crossbow, and a Turkish horseman riding while shooting a composite bow.

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English longbow bow and arrow crossbow

James Watt as a young man, c1769. Scottish engineer and instrument maker. Invented the modern steam engine which became the main source of power in Britain's textile mills. His engine had a separate condenser in which steam from the cylinder; (see notes)

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