In some ways it's a logical progression from RPGs - those really don't work too well if you're dealing with more than a handful of people, and considering that D&D started out as a way to integrate magic with medieval miniatures gaming, it's not too surprising that people tend to start with D&D (or other RPGs) and go the other way.

Miniatures for me were never worth the hassle of painting them. I am simply horrible at fine motor skills (well, anything requiring more dexterity than disassembling and reassembling small arms, anyway) and tended to leave the few miniature warships and AFVs I bought in bare metal...though I have to say I've been awfully tempted by the vehicles made for the Hammer's Slammers miniatures rules. I already have the boardgame, after all.