Hedy Lamarr, a glamorous actress from the 1930s and 1940s, was also a scientist and inventor.
Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna in 1914, is renowned for her roles in films like "Algiers" and "Sampson and Delilah." However, her contributions extend far beyond the silver screen. She possessed a brilliant mind and co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology with composer George Antheil.
This technology, patented in 1942, was originally intended for use in torpedo guidance systems during World War II to prevent jamming. While it wasn't immediately adopted by the US Navy, its principles are now fundamental to modern wireless communications, including:
- Wi-Fi: Enables wireless internet connectivity.
- Bluetooth: Used for short-range wireless connections between devices.
- Cellular Technology: Underpins mobile phone networks.
Despite her significant contribution, Lamarr received little recognition for her invention during her lifetime. However, in later years, her work was finally acknowledged, and she has since been celebrated as an innovator.
