The Chinese invented gunpowder
The Chinese invented gunpowder and failed to develop the cannon. What theory now buried in time they used to cherish that persuaded them the risky business of containing gunpowder in a metal casing was not worth it? When the cannon was invented it changed the whole future as would interstellar travel.
The Chinese invented gunpowder continued
Testing containment in space of the American invented "super gunpowder" uranium is worth it....because I just don't think looking at man's past record of war after war that someday we or our children's children will be here.