And as we are talking about this topic I guess it might be good to provide some quotes that also mention Saruman's interest in such things:
Quote:
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...but Curunír went most among Men, and he was subtle in speech and skilled in all the devices of smith-craft.
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Also, it makes sense as well since he was a Maiar of Aule:
Quote:
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Curumo, who was chosen by Aule
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It does make sense that he enhanced the explosives, but I believe the Orcs were at the time no strangers to such things either, and as suggested in the quote from The Hobbit they took great delight in using such a weapon.