[Bergil]

One question hasn't been raised, why was Saruman in such a hurry to develop advanced technology? it's hardly his nature to to fund A "Royal Acadamy of Science". I see 2 possibileties. Either he, alone among "bad guys" realised that his slaves are, as slaves, disadvantaged when fighting against people with a fire of freedom in them, and is trying to compensate by breeding Uruk-hai and arming them with powder (eventually), and gaining a support advantage with a better mill etc.

The other possibility is even scarier. He could be trying to reach 1984 as soon as he can. if the hobbits had failed, what would Aragorn have found?, If Rohan had failed, and Saruman's new tactics had inspired Sauron, what would the valar have found? It's not a pleasent thought (unless you're Saruman), hobbits ending up that way.