Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr (November 9, 1914–January 19, 2000) was an actress and communications innovator. She was known as The Most Beautiful Woman In Films and also as a co-inventor of the first form of spread spectrum, a key to modern wireless communication.

Frequency-hopped spread spectrum invention

Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil received patent number 2,292,387 for their "Secret Communication System." This early version of frequency hopping used a piano roll to change between 88 frequencies and was intended to make radio-guided torpedoes harder for enemies to detect or to jam. The patent was little-known until recently because Lamarr applied for it under her then-married name of Hedy Kiesler Markey. Neither Lamarr nor Antheil made any money from the patent. The U.S. military did not adopt this technology until 1962.

Related Topics:
George Antheil - Patent - Frequency hopping - Piano roll - Radio - Torpedo

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Lamarr's frequency hopping technology served as the basis for modern spread-spectrum communication technology used in devices ranging from cordless phones to WiFi internet connections. In 1997, the two of them received an EFF Pioneer Award for the invention.

Related Topics:
1997 - EFF Pioneer Award

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Lamarr wanted to join the National Inventors Council but was told she could better help the war effort by using her celebrity status to sell war bonds. She once raised $7,000,000 at one event.

Related Topics:
National Inventors Council - War bonds

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In 2003 Boeing ran a series of recruitment ads featuring Hedy Lamarr as a woman of science. No reference to her film career was made in the ads.

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