How could it be a lyre? It can't even talk, never mind be untruthful...

As to the theory of bunging bits together to see what it sounds like - most 'accepted' instruments were invented that way! It's sort of the Folk Tradition, but for instruments.

Stefan Sobell of Newcastle upon Tyne invented a ten-stringed instrument he called a cittern - nowadays lots of people play them. He admits he pinched the name from a medieval instrument. If you're reading this, Stefan, I've got an Appalachian dulcimer you made in 1973 - it needs mending!

Adolf Sax tried to make a clarinet out of metal, but failed. The result was the Saxophone...

I tried to make music with a comb and paper. The result was a gobful of soggy tissue...