Have you ever heard of an atlatl? It is an ancient tool that uses leverage to allow a spear to be thrown faster and further. It is a lot like the tennis ball launcher used by dog-owners that lets them play fetch without having to touch the ball.
These days, some people use atlatls for fun. There is even a company that makes them, Thunderbird Atlatl, in Candor, N.Y. A couple of weeks ago, anthropology students from SUNY Potsdam and St. Lawrence University faced off to see who could most accurately throw a spear with an atlatl. Zach Hirsch was there and sent this audio postcard.