How original were Newton’s contributions to science? (In what ways did Newton depend on the mechanical view?)

Newton's new “reflecting telescope” was more powerful than ... Before Newton, scientists primarily adhered to ancient theories on ... laws of motion laid the groundwork for classical mechanics. Newton's research on motion helped give credibility to the heliocentric view. Newton also helped pioneer telescopic innovations, and he is sometimes credited with inventing the first reflecting telescope. He also conducted experiments using the prism, and developed a theory about the nature of color and light.