It was a guy named Mahan who knew sea power and how to use it. https://history.state.gov/milestones/1866-1898/mahan
Indeed. Mahan was very influential, and the reason everybody wanted a battle line. He perhaps neglected other forms of naval warfare, namely Guerre de Course. Had the Imperial German Navy invested in more light cruisers and U-boats they’d have had the material to throttle Britain. Instead they built a battle line that was effectively blockaded for much of the war. They had a puncher’s chance however, and their ships were tough and gunnery excellent.