Recording statutes (if I remember correctly) were created largely to avoid the problem of wrongful and mistaken land conveyances. Hence, the bona fide purchaser. I believe the first recorded deed in the Americas was recorded in the Plymouth Colony (early 17th century). Recording dates back to William the Conqueror's Doomsday Book (1066 ACE).

Our concept of property rights date back to the Romans but the Romans did not have a recording method. They used mass ceremonies to create witnesses to land conveyances. When the Roman empire collapsed, the lack of a recording system contributed to the anarchy that consumed Europe in the wake of the collapse. The Doomsday book is the first known solution to that anarchy. Prior to the Doomsday Book, possession was proof of right to land. As you can imagine that created a lot of conflict.

If I recall correctly, prior to the colonization of the Americas, Europe used elaborate land titles that contained a lot of pages to prove land ownership. Land owners had to have all of the pages and all the pages had to be in good condition to prove they owned the land. Easy to do for ten years but very difficult to do for 200 years. The American recording system was a substantial improvement.

A little bit of history (hopefully it's on point. Its been awhile since I studied the history of property rights). Hopefully it helps you to understand recording statutes a little better.