The minute that "Human Resources" was made into a dept everyone was doomed. Just the definition of Resources demeans the fact we're human beings, not some resource that's expendable and can be replaced like it's an object.
Tend to agree with @XhreZ6O-duv with what he stated on the true purpose of HR
A good percentage of HR work is now outsourced and handled by a 3rd party....same with benefit folks who handle disability etc. etc...
HR departments predate Alexander Graham Bell, so I guess AT&T you would've never made it beyond the 19th century
They've had HR since at least 1979 when I got hired.