Whether or not someone would have formulated an explanation for physically observable discrepancies as quickly is maybe what you mean? Because all those pesky

Whether or not someone would have formulated an explanation for physically observable discrepancies as quickly is maybe what you mean? Because all those pesky missing factors of 1/2 were already being seen in astronomical phenomena, correct? Orbit of Mercury, aberration of light, etc. A postulate / explanation was what was needed (of course, maybe some more examples too). But yes, there is also the question of whether the publicizing of the theory (and correct predictions) led to an explosion of interest that caused lots of technological advances due to the excitement around the new field.