> In contrast, tulips weren't a new technology.

Depends on your definition of 'technology'. From wikipedia:

> The tulip was different from every other flower known to Europe at that time, with a saturated intense petal color that no other plant had. The appearance of the nonpareil tulip as a status symbol at this time coincides with the rise of newly independent Holland's trade fortunes.

In any case, they were certainly new, and there was reason to believe that lots of people would want to buy them.