Hedy Lamarr

inventor · World War II · actress · radio technology

Hollywood Movie Star. Hedy Lamarr was a famous actress in the 1930s and 1940s, starring in many popular films. She was known for her beauty and talent on the big screen.

Secret Inventor. During World War II, Lamarr worried about enemy interference with military radio signals. She teamed up with composer George Antheil to create a special radio system that could switch frequencies automatically so enemies couldn't jam the signal.

Frequency Hopping Genius. Their invention used a technique called frequency hopping, where the radio would rapidly switch between different channels like a secret dance. This same idea is used today in cell phones, WiFi, and military communications.

Late Recognition. For many years, people forgot that Lamarr was an inventor and only remembered her as an actress. In 1997, when she was much older, she finally received awards recognizing her brilliant contribution to technology.

Brains and Beauty. Hedy Lamarr proved that someone could be both a talented performer and a brilliant scientist. She showed that smart ideas can come from unexpected people in unexpected places.