The bridge sits away from edges because clamped-edge phase inversion cancels proximity advantage

Evidence

Since the soundboard cannot flex much near the clamped edges, there is no proximity resonance advantage to launching waves there. Or, put another way, the reflections from the edge return inverted, so the in-phase proximity advantage does not exist for the bending waves—in fact, the opposite is the case. Accordingly, the bridge is attached to the soundboard relatively far from the edge. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 1181

Categorization

• QUESTION: This explains bridge placement empirically - worth comparing to actual bridge positions across instrument designs.