[obviuosly]

> but what really sets them apart is that they made it all work [citation needed]

Werbos and others were very aware that the method worked and also of the implications of it:

> This approach makes it possible to develop generalized, adaptive artificial intelligence, capable of achieving results comparable to what is discussed in science fiction

http://werbos.com/Neural/SensitivityIFIPSeptember1981.pdf

The Hinton cartel happened to be in the right condition that allowed them to ignore the politically correct BS starting at the turn of the century which rendered the study of neurons, IQ and intelligence massively unpopular; and ruthless enough to only cite one another and call themselves the "fathers of deep learning" rather than actually citing the originators of these ideas.