Thomas Edison, deep in thought, left, in his laboratory in West Orange, N.J. Called "The American Genie of the (Electric) Lamp" by The Times, it was reported that when he worked he allowed himself no more than his usual half-hour midday meal. A Times reporter ventured to interrogate him about his "undermined physical vitality" in 1921. He instantly assumed a position of a soldier and challenged: "Do I look it?" It was then that all appeared satisfied his vigor was not seriously called into question.