So that’s how they kept the radio going on Gilligan’s Island. Credit this one to the professor!
(Jus' kidding)
On the other hand, think about it this way ~ we are now able to use algae as components in batteries and certain DNA strands as components in micro switches. It's only been recently that we've had a need/use for exceedingly low powered non-maintenance batteries, or nano-scale micro switches.
We may be doing nothing more but picking up trashed technology from intergalactic wreckage and refurbishing it for use in "new stuff".