Are there other indications this is the hard truth? It could turn out to be just one genius' creative process, where others do "idle under the apple tree". I be

Are there other indications this is the hard truth? It could turn out to be just one genius' creative process, where others do "idle under the apple tree". I believe Feynman's results about quantum theory did stem from idling and meddling with some non-interesting work, before the revelation dawned on him.