Origin of Manatech

One of the most important innovations of the Third Age is Manatech. These wondrous devices incorporate a "spell plate" that is effectively a reusable spell scroll. The technology was first developed over a century ago (1094 AC) by the famous gnomish inventor Ozmet Cogwell.
The Dwarven Trade Council tried to monopolize this new technology, stockpiling the metals and gems needed to construct manatech, especially copper and silver. The resulting shortage in metal quickly drove up the value of coins. The economic chaos threatened to overwhelm the financial well-being of the other nations of the world. As knowledge and demand for manatech spread throughout the land, the nations all settled standard values of coins.
Originally manatech was called Arcanatech because it only worked for Arcane spells but 65 years ago, manatechnicians developed a method to create Divine spell plates as well. They also developed more efficient mana accumulators which led to a wider variety of devices, from minor everyday items like lighting, heating or cooling food or cleaning items. More powerful spells became available as well such as Dimension Door or Divination and manatech items became even more widely used, especially by the military and adventurers.
Another side effect of the wider application of manatech (especially for the martially-inclined) is that the interest and demand for guns dropped considerably. The unwillingness of the Goblins to share their inventions was no longer an issue because a more reliable option was available.