How does Edisons phonograph help disprove the theory of necessity as the mother of invention?

Answer 1

Edison's lab developed the phonograph as a sort of accidental side project while working on the telephone. For most of the time he was perfecting it, he had absolutely no idea what practical purpose it could serve. So it was not an invention that came forth out of a real need for storage and reproduction of sound, but rather it came forth out of pure happenstance and research.

Answer 2

Edison's phonograph demonstrated that invention can be driven by curiosity and creativity rather than necessity alone. The phonograph was not created out of a pressing need, but out of Edison's desire to create a device that could reproduce sound. This challenges the idea that all inventions are born out of necessity, highlighting the role of human ingenuity and curiosity in driving innovation.