Here are the possible solutions for thomas edison's 1877 good idea clue
Answer
Clue
Relevancy
phonograph
Clue
Thomas Edison's 1877 good idea
Definition
a character or symbol used to represent a sound, esp. one used in phonography; also, gramophone
microphone
Clue
Emile Berliner's 1877 good idea
Definition
an instrument whereby sound waves are caused to generate or modulate an electric current usually for the purpose of transmitting or recording sound (as speech or music)
apile
Clue
"To invent, you need a good imagination and ___ of junk" --Thomas Edison