Hedy Lamarr: The Actress and Inventor Who Developed a Frequency-Hopping System for Torpedoes, Which Later Became the Basis for Wi-Fi
Hedy Lamarr was an actress who graced screens of many Hollywood movies and a renowned inventor who made stunning contributions to the world of technology. Born in Austria, she was treated like a jewel, with her father offering her the highest education and experience different hobbies. She was highly educated and involved in the challenging field of science, as well as acting in movies. In this article, you’ll find out how Hedy Lamarr invented a frequency-hopping system for torpedoes, and how it would eventually become the basis of Wi-Fi.
Early Life
Hedy Lamarr was born as Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler in Vienna, Austria in 1914. Coming from a Jewish family, she was encouraged by her creative and educated parents to explore fields of science and arts. Her father, Gerson Kiesler, was a successful banker, who had high expectations of his daughter. Her mother, Rézi, was a pianist and actress who inspired her daughter to get into the show business.
As a teenager, Lamarr studied science, engineering and music, additionally taking secret evening classes. She gained recognition and fame as a talented actress in European films. Consequently, at the age of 17 she was offered a movie contract in France, which was quickly replaced by an even more enticing one from the world-famous producer, Louis B. Mayer.
The Screen Star
Hedy Lamarr traveled to the US in the late 1930s and was hailed as ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’. This title was accredited to her stunning beauty, and it was soon backed up by her acting skills with classical roles in White Cargo, Samson, and Delilah and other top films of that era. Despite gaining recognition as a marvelous actress, she always sought out a mental outlet to indulge her interest in science.
The Innovator
Lamarr’s vivid imagination and aspiration to solve complex tasks led her to develop ideas to advance serious scientific projects. During the Second World War, her expertise and knowledge came into the spotlight when she and composer George Antheil proposed a superior technology to Home Security.
The Frequency-Hopping System for Torpedoes
Lamarr and Antheil jointly invented a frequency-hopping system for torpedoes. It utilized a highly sophisticated technology for radio control through torpedoes with controlled timing of the frequencies that could not be predicted. This technology enabled out-of-range signals to reach their destination without being intercepted.
The patented system was based on a device that used piano rolls, a technology familiar to Antheil, while Lamarr contributed the concept of how the signals should be encoded. The goal was to come up with a frequency-hopping system that could allow non-interceptable communications by sending a brief signal that hopped among 88 different frequencies. The two were granted a patent for the mechanism, making it the first-ever technological invention of its kind.
Adoption and Impact Towards Wi-Fi Technology
Unfortunately, the strength of their invention was underrated during the war and failed to be adopted for military use. Instead, Lamarr and Antheil’s frequency-hopping spread-spectrum technology was implemented in 1962 for secure communication of military ships, and in 2020 this technology is the foundation of communication systems utilized in the US Navy and various networks, most notably the Wi-Fi network.
Modern Connections
Today Hedy Lamarr’s story is celebrated to encourage women in the world of science, engineering and technology. Numerous events and awards have been awarded in her honor.
• In 1997 Lamarr was inducted into the National Inventors’ Hall of Fame and was honored for her ground-breaking patent for frequency-hopping systems.
• In 2014, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) gave her Pioneer Award in recognition of her work in wireless communication.
• The Wireless Innovation Forum has an award in her name — The Lamarr Award — which is given to those who have had an immense impact on the world of science and engineering.
• In 2017, the Austrian Post Office issued postage stamps of Lamarr with her signature and a picture of her in a Hollywood film.
• Last year, Lamarr was posthumously inducted into the National Mining Hall of Fame in Colorado.
Hedy Lamarr was an ingenious and independent woman who blazed trails of science and paved way for the next generations. Despite just realising success in her later years, her legacy will remain with us for years to come. Lamarr’s frequency-hopping technology is essential for military operations, GPS, and communications networks. With her extraordinary accomplishments, she broke the boundaries of science and re-defined the heights that are achievable by remarkable women.
