H is for Hedy Lamarr in today’s A-Z Blog Challenge.
She may have been famous for her beauty, but what I found out from her biography is that she was also schmart! She came up with the idea for a radio-guided torpedo that was able to escape jamming by the enemy by using “frequency hopping.” She and a friend, George Antheil–a composer– patented that in 1942. It was that technology that was used in the Cuban Missile Crisis in the 60’s.
Guess what this “frequency hopping” makes possible today? Cellphones,Wi-Fi and GPS all operate without interference. Depending on our POV, we have Hedy to thank or curse for these modern devices.
A lot of movie stars have other talents they’re not recognized for. Any come to mind?
Be sure to HOP around and say hi to others who are in on this wildly wonderful A-Z Blogging Challenge.
Wendy Tyler Ryan says
Wow! I never knew this aboud Hedy. Quite a bit more than just a pretty face. Great post.
Margo Berendsen says
Now that is way cool – the inventor of frequency hopping. I love discovering trivia like this – except it's not exactly trivial, is it?
Jaycee DeLorenzo says
Wow, she sounds incredible! Thanks so much for sharing!
My A-Z
DL Hammons says
WOW!! I did not know that. You lowered my ignorance quotient a bit today! 🙂
Naila Moon says
How cool is that! THere are many women inventors from times gone by that never got any credit for their inventions. Thanks for the highlight of this woman.
~Naila Moon
http://yaknowstuff.blogspot.com/2012/04/h.html
M Pax says
What a neat thing to learn. Thanks, Lee. I like her name, too.
Kelly Hashway says
Okay, this is totally unrelated to your blog post, but I was just on your website and had to tell you how awesome it is. I love it! Nicely done.
Ruth says
Hi, I am hopping by from the A-Z challenge.
She does sound like a smart lady.
welcome to me
yummy stuff
Stephanie says
How cool. Good for her.
Journaling Woman says
All I know is that I want to look like her when I grow up.
🙂
Teresa
Jemi Fraser says
What a bright lady – awesome! 🙂
farawayeyes says
All that and a beauty too. Interesting facts. Thanks.
Gossip_Grl says
Have saw some of her movies. She was always a leading lady in them Interesting info about her. I never knew that thanks for sharing
Carrie Butler says
Wow. I had no clue. Thanks for sharing, Lee! 🙂
cristinharber says
That is very neat. I always thought it was interesting that Julia Child was a spy. She's not an actress, but one of the first celebrity chefs.
Sara says
Wow that's really cool. I had no idea!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I had no idea she'd done that!
Susan Fields says
That is so interesting! What an impressive woman.
thepatientdreamer.com says
Wow! Didn't that about her. Very interesting.
Bish Denham says
I knew something about Hedy being smart about other things, but I didn't know exactly what it was. Now I do. What a woman!