Ordinary technology is in some respects more advanced in this world than it is in reality. Billions have been spent not only on study of superhuman phenomena, but also on attempts to use technology to put ordinary humans on par with the growing ranks of superhumanity. These attempts are still rare, expensive, and have had limited successes. Some examples of armored battlesuits and high-powered weaponry have been developed to control the increasingly complicated superhuman problem, but the cost involved in producing such items is staggering.

The most sophisticated super-tech usually remains restricted to its inventor (or finder) alone, to a small group of people, or to a specific government, rather than propagating out to the populace as a whole. Leaving aside that fact that most of this technology (e.g. military-grade weaponry) isn’t appropriate for public purchase, there are several reasons why not all super-tech becomes widely distributed.

First, not all “supertechnology” really works, or works exactly as it seem to. Instead, it serves as a proxy or “conduit” for true superpowers possessed by the inventor. Thus while the devices appear to function for the person who built it, it won’t work for anyone else.

Similarly, sometimes, even when an inventor truly creates a piece of super-technology, he does so through a once in a lifetime set of circumstances he cannot hope to reproduce. Making the mass manufacturing of the device impossible. Or it may be that the inventor has a superhuman “spark of genius” once, and then can’t figure out how to do it again. even through reverse engineering.

Third, even when supertechnology can be mass-produced, it is hideously expensive to do so. The parts and raw materials required may be unique, or nearly so, and the technical expertise can be even rare. After all, many super-inventors are true geniuses, and sometimes mad to boot; getting even a roomful of ordinary scientist to duplicate their efforts is a difficult proposition. Only fanatical and dedicated researchers can create new super-technologies in many cases.

Fourth, to some super-inventors, particularly villains, there’s no desire to share their technology, even if they can. A certain amount of power and prestige comes from being “the only one” to have a particular weapon, or who can make a certain laboratory process work more effectively and cheaply. Making the technology publicly available, even for huge sums of money, spoils the fun. Even if the inventor would prefer to distribute his creations, the person or government employing him may have other ideas.

Tech Levels
To better evaluate the various technology levels, the following categories are utilized for definition purposes:

Non-Reproducible:
No theoretical basis exists for how this technology works. Any examples are one of a kind.

Prototype:
A theoretical understanding exists, and it may be possible to produce or reproduce this technology, but any object is still one of a kind for now. Artificial Intelligence, Nanotechnology, Force Fields, and Androids are examples of theoretical technology.

Experimental:
This technology is in a technological demonstrator. A small number exist, but they are very expensive and very rare. Plasma Blasters, Cybernetics, Robots, Cloning and powered armored battlesuits are examples of an experimental device.

Limited Production:
This technology can be produced in a limited scale, but it is expensive and rare. Military weaponry, Caseless Ammmunition, and Tangler Guns are examples of technology in limited production. Often some special permission is required to get one.

General Production:
This technology is available if you know where to look. It is still some what expensive, but it does not normally require special permission to own one. An expensive sports car is an example of a general production technology.

Mass Production:
This technology is generally available and inexpensive. The telephone is an example of a mass production technology.