Could that just be fun to say, though? Why not extend the category to intoxicants? For example, the steam engine coming from refinements to distillation.

My point being that you can see technological innovation from the perspective of pursuing 'base' desires or as an outgrowth of intellectual curiosity or basic research, and make a good argument either way depending on what other points you want to make.

Your friend the chemist might seem to enjoy explosions a lot, but also be systematic and detail-oriented.