Lordathestrings really detailed the core of the origins in the fundamental differences between the two "giants".

I'd like to add one detail. A traditional Strat tone is very much shaped by having a vibrato system. There is a big hole in the middle of the body and the springs on the claw plate in the back act precisely like a simple mechanical spring reverb.

Conversely, a traditional Gibson Les Paul has no such thing. It is a solid chunk of wood. Likewise this is a big part of it's tone.

Even though a "hard tail Strat" (no vibrato bar or block) sounds more like a Strat than a Paul, to me, it still doesn't have the total Strat tone.

And I also agree with the principle that the music comes first. The different machines are just tools to achieve your goals.