Historically, invention often, maybe usually, precedes the science that describes it. Thermodynamics grew out of steam engines, not the other way around, and the same for transistors in the fifties, for two examples off the top of my head. I suspect it is because the technology provides a simpler and clearer example of the relevant science than natural examples. And the development of empirical sciences are useful to the further development of the technologies.
Historically, invention often, maybe usually, precedes the science that describes it. Thermodynamics grew out of steam engines, not the other way around, and the same for transistors in the fifties, for two examples off the top of my head. I suspect it is because the technology provides a simpler and clearer example of the relevant science than natural examples. And the development of empirical sciences are useful to the further development of the technologies.