See also Fred Saberhagen's "Empire of the East," which pre-dates Banks. His characters are non-tech but have a "Djinn of Technology" who can conjure things for

See also Fred Saberhagen's "Empire of the East," which pre-dates Banks. His characters are non-tech but have a "Djinn of Technology" who can conjure things for them, but they haven't the understanding to ask for the right things or use them, at first. He has fun with it. Once they get a balloon in the air they ask for a rudder to steer it; and get the wrong kind.