John von Neumann could multiply two eight-digit numbers together in his head – when he was six-years old.

At 22 he was helping to develop what would become quantum mechanics. His off-the-charts mathematical ability made the Manhattan Project a success. He all but invented game theory. (Ever hear the term “zero-sum”? He coined the phrase.) And building on work by Alan Turing and Kurt Godel he laid the groundwork for the computer you’re using.

Students could barely keep up with his brilliant lec...