Origins of thermodynamics similar to evolutionary discoveries

​In Hans Christian von Baeyer’s Warmth Disperses and Time Passes, he briefly samples the thoughts of P.W. Bridgman regarding the origin of thermodynamics. The Noble Peace Prize physicist alludes to notion that thermodynamics “smell of their human origins.”

I believe this is an indication that the presence of thermodynamics was seem to be discovered by chance, much like the uncovering of evidence to signify the scientific theory and reasoning behind the origin of man.
Count Rumford encountered heat while working on his cannons. Intrigued, Rumford felt compelled to experiment with two pieces of metal and a barrel of water. With metal rubbing against metal and after two and a half hours, Rumford noticed the water boiling. Rumford’s discovery led to a deep-rooted fascination in finding the heat’s properties.

This reminds me of the workings of the scientist Abraham Trembley during the 18th century. Trembley and his young assistant unexpectedly discovered parthenogenesis, or asexual reproduction. Much like Rumford’s “accidental” uncovering of heat , what appeared to  a routing biological study for Trembley turned into a scientific phenomenon that aided to a greater theory of natural selection and evolution.

There is merit to the notion that thermodynamics reflected the discoveries regarding the human species. And of course shows that some of our best findings are the ones we are not actively looking for.