[d_burfoot]

Interesting historical anecdote: the Swiss became the world's best watchmakers because, in Protestant Geneva under the leadership of John Calvin, jewelry was banned as ostentation. But you were allowed to wear a watch - it was important to get to church and work on time - so people starting wearing expensive watches instead of jewelry.

[Nursie]

Interesting. It's my understanding that in a similar vein, one of the reasons Belgium got so good at making tasty, stronger beers because wine and spirits were banned in the past.

It's not quite 'necessity' being the mother of invention, but perhaps desire.

[zigman1]

Not only that! You know the typical image of a witch? With a pointy hat and a giant round-shaped pot?

Those were illegal beer brewers in Belgium! Women would put their pointy hat on their door as a sign that there might be, if you ask nicely, some beer for you to buy there.

[fsckboy]

combining the previous two comments, I once heard that there are chips/french fries all over the ground in Belgium because if you ask a Belge the time, they look at their wristwatch, immediately inverting the container of fries they are undoubtedly carrying.

Not sure about Belgian potato or watch branding.