Happy Birthday Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr was a big star during the golden age of Hollywood, making over 20 films between 1933 and 1958.
Her looks, risqué first film, emigration from Nazi Austria, six divorces, and outspoken nature all captured attention at the time.
It's more recently that public interest in Lamarr has increased for another reason: she was brilliant.
During WWII, Lamarr and George Antheil patented designs for the frequency-hopping system that could prevent radio-controlled torpedoes from being jammed.
While the US Navy didn't use her concepts until the 1960s (after the patent expired), her ideas led to Bluetooth, secure military radios, wi-fi, GPS, and the ability for cell phone calls to switch from tower to tower. And she never received a dime in compensation.
And those aren't her only inventions.
So here's to a beautiful mind. Happy Birthday, Ms. Lamarr.
Learn more about her HERE and HERE.
