Terry,
Before SpaceX, there has never been a rocket that reached orbit (orbital velocity) and survived re-entry to land. Let alone was launched to orbit and re-landed a second time. Or a third time!
Tesla changed the electric vehicle universe, transformed EVs to be sexy, desirable, and widespread, and forced the entire industry to begin a transition it has resisted for decades.
Tesla installed what was the biggest grid-tied battery in the world in Australia, and changed the view of such an installation from impossible/unnecessary to one of being vital for grid resilience.
Just having an idea for something, or making a prototype, or doing something in a limited way or for a limited time, does not move the world forward. I doubt a person afflicted with a neurological disease would agree to have your friend’s electrodes implanted in their brain! Mass manufacturing of cars, or rockets, is a hundred times harder than making a prototype — witness all the EV startups going broke trying to bring their idea to market: of all the attempts, none has survived since Ford. Except for Tesla.
If you don’t see the difference between what was then, and what is now, then I can’t explain it to you. Google is your friend.