since i can't reply to what tp444 said i'll do post it here
einstein wouldn't exist without the prior teachings of newton, kepler, brahe, and the likes. these three (mainly kepler and newton [o and i forgot leibnitz]) discovered so many things about the universe that would make your head hurt after learning 1% of what they found out. Einstein expanded on their theories, yes, but i doubt he would have become the genius he is known as today without the past findingss