'Good' uses of technology?

[Eönwë]

Originally Posted by zxcvbn

1.Astronomical instruments. The Gondorians astudied astronomy. Perhaps they created telescopes, astronomical calculators etc.(in real life, astronomical clocks for studying the position of heavenly bodies date back to ancient Greece, so why not?)

2.Navigation aids for mariners and travelers. Compasses, astrolabes etc.(once again, these have been used since early medieval times, so they wouldn't be too advanced for Middle-earth)

Antikythera?

Originally Posted by Estelyn Telcontar

I don't remember reading anything about magical abilities of Dwarves elsewhere - of what nature would Dwarven magic be?

In the Ut, on the Druedain, it says, comparing themto dwarves:

Originally Posted by UT

In some ways they resembled rather the Dwarves: in build and stature and endurance; in their skill in carving stone; in the grim side of their character; and in their strange powers. But the 'magic' skills with which the Dwarves were credited were quite different; and the Dwarves were far grimmer, and also long-lived

so clearly they were associate dwith some magic, probably the whole smithing thing.