You make it sound like scientists first dreamed up a fantasy concept out of thin air, then started theorizing around that fantasy concept.
Just going off topic a little, to a degree that statement is true. For example, the ‘electro motive force’ that is generated from an alternator is based on the theory of conductors cutting magnetic ‘lines of force’. From this much of the theory of electrical interaction is based on and held as factual. Trouble is there is no such thing as a ‘line of force’. It was a miss observation that lead to the theory, being that it is indeed fantasy.
The interactions of space are based on gravitational theory. When observations don’t comply with such theory, such things as the theory of ‘dark matter’ and ‘dark energy’ have to be plucked out of thin air to prove the theory and make the models work. Problems happen when those new inventions are contradicted. Then more is added and you now end up with cosmology more of a philosophical debate rather than a scientific.
Too much romanticising and hypothesis and not enough proof. Lets not even talk about Multiversal theory