the wheel --> chariots, pottery (see Sumeria), Roman roads, siege weapons (play Civ!)

bicycles --> police forces, see the Japanese in Malaya 1941

sewing machines --> factory labor, mass production of clothes

hand tools --> Guild systems

musical instruments --> organized religion, national anthems, cultural soft power

open radio bands --> policing, surveillance

blacksmithing --> weapons

etc. etc. we can do this all day :)