Ludwik Fleck's "Genesis and development of a scientific fact" goes very much in the line of looking at science as a gradual progress, with many failed attempts.

Ludwik Fleck's "Genesis and development of a scientific fact" goes very much in the line of looking at science as a gradual progress, with many failed attempts. written by winners. (Written pre-WW2; it served as an inspiration for Khun.) Its most eye-opening example is the history of [the concept/knowledge/science/... of] syphilis, from ancient to modern times. PDF (of print from 1979): http://www.evolocus.com/Textbooks/Fleck1979.pdf http://www.evolocus.com/Textbooks/Fleck1979.pdf