"The most beautiful woman in the world", Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler was born on November 9th, 1914 in Vienna Austria. The stunningly beautiful Austrian American actress was a star during Hollywoods golden age. However, she was far more than a pretty face, as she was also an inventor during WW2.
Prior to living in America, Hedy had lived in Austria married to Fredrick Mandal, wealthy Austrian ammunition manufacturer. A mere 18 to Mandal's 33, Hedy was restless especially considering the controlling nature of her husband. Mandal "had close social and business ties to the fascist government of Italy, selling munitions to Mussolini, and, although, like Hedy, his own father was Jewish, had ties to Nazi government of Germany as well. Lamarr wrote that Mussolini and Hitler attended lavish parties at the Mandal home. Lamarr accompanied Mandal to business meetings, where he conferred with scientists and other professionals involved in military technology. These conferences with scientists and other professionals involved in military technology." (nbc) These conferences nurtured and fostered Hedy's love of mathematics and science later on. After being no longer able to stand her husband, the young bombshell secretly moved to Paris where she meet the head of MGM who signed her as a film star back in Hollywood.
Once in American, she changed her name to Hedy Lamarr, and became a hit on the silver screen. Hedy starred in many films such as "Ziegfeld Girl", "Samson and Delilah" and "White Cargo".
While an actress, at heart Hedy was an inventor and during WW2 developed a torpedo guidance system for the US Navy. However her more recognized work was her co-invention with George Anthiel in which the two patented a "Secret Communication System" which used wireless radios and constant frequency creating a "jamming- proof frequency". This technology she and George developed even became the basis for today what is known as Bluetooth. Most recently in 2014 she and George have been inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Bibliography:
https://www.hedylamarr.com
http://www.nbcnews.com/id/46848978/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/t/hedy-lamarr-hollywoods-secret-weapon-inventor/#.WipYPbaZNp8
Interesting post Leah! It's interesting to see how many things Hedy was involved with. From her connection to the fascist Mussolini and the Nazi government, to becoming an actor while being an inventor, she seems to have been involved in everything. Deriving from your point about her contribution to the torpedo guidance system, it's interesting to note how much inventors contributed to the outcome of war. For example Robert Watt, another WW2 inventor, developed the radar technology which was able to track down German Blitzkrieg bombers in the dark of night, proving extremely useful in the field of air warfare.
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