Planes were used in the world wars, then we have 9/11. This is the post 9/11 era where air travel sucks so much.
Similarly:
Drones are now being used in the Russo-Ukrainian war. Eventually, there will be a “9/11” with multiple coordinated drone attacks and then the way drones are treated will be forever changed. Civillian ownership of drones will likely be heavily restricted or entirely banned.
History rhymes.
Birkeland–Eyde seems quite scalable and accessible. Like just lightning in a bottle. A few solar panels and an old automotive ignition coil, CRT TV transformer etc.