How does an academic discipline arrive at ‘glamor’ status?

At timing of completion of his Theory of Special Relativity, it is believed no more than 10% of all physicists understood Einstein’s proof.

Today, while kids in High School typically will not as yet understand Einstein’s proof, they understand essence of special relativity.

How exactly did this happen?

Well, first physicists attempted to convey essence of the proof to the rest 90% of their colleagues. Then they demanded understanding of the proof from PhD candidates in Physics.

Then, newly minted PhDs taught the concept to candidates for each of undergraduate or Masters degrees in Physics. Then, the concept was distilled, such that it could be understood by students in High School.

The Between-the-Lines?

Once physicists began to demand understanding of the proof from PhD students, they raised the bar on skills that had to be acquired, and ability that had to be demonstrated if PhD students were to transform into PhD candidates.

First, physicists raised the bar on ability and skills required for obtaining of a PhD in Physics.