I think gmuslera is right to point out that being the first doesn't really matter (for most people). You also need support from the right kinds of people and it's not a given that being first and eventually being 'proven right' (which is itself highly subjective and contested) translates to the right kinds of people automatically gravitating to your idea and helping you to make a living out of it. There are many great innovations which stayed in the shadows long after the death of their creators. Many were never given due credit.

Humans fundamentally haven't changed since the time of Galileo or Socrates. Being too early tends to be a bad thing.

It's incredibly difficult to come up with an idea which is both new and not controversial. But nowadays, it is essential, probably more so than at any other time in history. All new ideas must fit precisely within established financial incentive structures. The degree of alignment required, the amount of boxes which must be ticked, is huge.