His many other inventions -- including explosive materials like the smokeless powder Ballistite -- were used for militaristic, mining, construction and other industrial purposes.
But as long as those living in and around the region watch its conflicts from starkly opposing viewpoints, the old powder-keg will retain every speck of its explosive power.
At that point they'll reduce the need for rooms full of powder charges and the associated dangers that come along with explosive shells, but will instead need to make way for what looks to be a warehouse full of capacitors.