That is supposing he published it at his leisure. Remember, Darwin had to rush his publication of the Theory of Evolution because a fellow scientist had come to the same conclusions as him, albeit without the same level of research. I cannot recall the chaps name but I do believe he wanted to publish his theory to gain funding to further research it.
Darwin had to rush his through to rubber stamp the idea as his. Perhaps Huygens had no such competition and could afford to wait until he was absolutely certain before announcing his theory? Or perhaps, whilst he was refining it some young upstart threatened to rock his boat and maybe he just put it out there for the World to see?
I know nothing about this, I must admit, and have done no research! But I do know about Darwin and am just applying the same (sort of) course of events to Huygens work! More.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.