TOPIC: In any field of endeavour, it is impossible to make a significant contribution without first being strongly influenced by past achievements within that field

The episodes of past have always influenced the present. Learning from past and continuously improving the present can undeniably bolster a person in making notable contributions. So, I would agree with the assertion that it is impossible to make significant contributions without past achievements.

Sir Isaac Newton, the Father of the Newton's Law of Motion, was impelled by Galileo's work on inertia. Albert Einstein was inspired by famous Scottish philosopher, Maxwell. His theories and philosophies have influenced him so profoundly that he came up with the Theory of Relativity. History has infinite number of these remarkable instances to prove the above said assertion veraciously.

In the final analysis, it can be concluded that, the great experiences of bygone-days nurture the present immensely. However, learning from preceding time should act a reinforcement in human discoveries. We should not have parochial outlook towards past as this can stagnate and endanger the creativity of human mind.
Rather, we should resolutely explore the eclectic domains with a tinge of past and opinionated present.