HN user
Quantum random number generation on a mobile phone (2014)[1]
A topic which seems at first rather obscure overlaps with something relatable to yield a fascinating result. The blog post [2] was especially enticing for non-specialists like myself.
1. http://arxiv.org/abs/1405.0435
2. https://medium.com/the-physics-arxiv-blog/quantum-random-num...
Fascinating read. Are there more blog-type posts like this from NASA? I'd be interested in reading more but I can't seem to find them from the main page and can't find links to these posts...
I think Stanford's undergrad college admission's essay prompt asking about "intellectual vitality" says it best.
I'd generalize your point to these mathematicians having such intellectual vitality from an early age and demonstrating it or pursuing it in some way or another. This is distinct from developing this vitality later in their childhood.