I guess we can't know every story, but I picture someone at a workbench, experimenting, then getting an idea, then experimenting some more (or vice versa). Maybe he got the idea to work, maybe he didn't.
Regarding the question, it starts with the concept of cross-coupling. This is a building block which leads to the memory circuit, or flip-flop. I suppose there were many individuals, years ago, creating various flip-flop circuits. These circuits are 'standard' today. If life were fair, the inventor's name would be associated with each circuit.