The past several centuries have presented well-documented cases of prodigious youth. Many represented extreme examples of children who had burned brightly and then faded into obscurity, succumbed to a mental illness or an early death, or entered into a career deemed below their mental capacity. These very public displays of mental prowess caused speculation about children's mental health and the source and longevity of their ability, resulting in myths and misunderstandings about prodigious youth. However, the early 20th century brought about a new understanding of prodigious youth, or as they were now more commonly referred, gifted children. The work of Terman and Hollingworth did much to influence how the general public and educators perceived gifted children. Gifted children, despite their intellectual prowess, were well rounded, well liked, and were both physically and mentally robust. This article discusses how the public's perception of prodigious children changed over time and how these children's exposure to the media raised new questions.