This is ~what the article suggests near the end. Are there other examples in math or physics where work on some advanced concept (like quantum) results in usef

This is ~what the article suggests near the end. Are there other examples in math or physics where work on some advanced concept (like quantum) results in useful advancements in contemporary / classical systems? If the original authors had set out to prove no faster recommendation system existed, would they have found the same solution? Would this alone have been an interesting enough problem to work on? I suppose I am wondering if the cachet of quantum (or some other field’s killer next thing) alone is useful if it results in driving forward understanding of technology we have at hand.