The Apollo program was a fast track to the Moon, using "ammunition" techniques and non-reusable systems.

If you look at early concepts of how we would conquer space, a long, step-by-step pace was the order of the day. Orbital launch vehicles, incorporating reusable elements early in the game. An orbital space station, constructed piecemeal on site using the robust space transportation system and a mature technology for humans working in space. Later, building lunar vehicles in orbit, and heading for the Moon.

This would have taken MUCH longer than Apollo, but by God when it was done, we'd have something a lot better to show for it.