HOW HEDY LAMARR HELPED THE NAVY & CREATED WIFI IN THE PROCESS
It’s common to see actors and entertainers and forget that, just like you and I, they're complex, multi-faceted people beyond their fame and wealth. Major contributions beyond the arts have been made by people throughout history who just so happen to act as their profession. Such is the case of Hedy Lamarr, who assisted composer George Antheil in revolutionizing the way torpedoes worked. Their efforts wouldn’t succeed in making much of a difference in World War II; however, the work they produced would end up being implemented by the Navy in the 1960s. It’s also something you may very well be using as you read this article. Read next: Untold Stories: The Female Heroes of Pearl Harbor
What Did Hedy Lamarr Invent?
Working with Antheil, Hedy Lamarr would help make a radio guidance system using spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology to better find submarines and successfully land a hit against Axis jamming technology. In layman’s terms, she made it possible for Allied Forces to hit Axis submarines better. This amazing feat came about because while Lamarr was not a weapons expert or working for the military at the time, she always loved to create things. Hedy Lamarr inventions included working on traffic light signals as well as a drink that was ultimately determined to be too similar to Alka Seltzer.
How an Actress Invented WiFi
actress Hedy Lamarr patented the basis for WiFi. This is obviously a monumental discovery that helped revolutionize the way the world operates. From reading this blog to paying for your meal to communicating in all shapes and forms, WiFi plays a massive part in the lives of Americans and billions of others around the world. Beyond WiFi, this technology also helped lay the foundation for other important forms of communication. This includes CDMA, Bluetooth, and GPS technologies. Lamarr’s contributions would go a long way in building a legacy far beyond her acting career, culminating in her posthumous induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014, highlighting the legacy of Hedy Lamarr. Suggested read:When Was GPS Invented & Who Is in Charge of It?
Hedy Lamarr Made Impacts in Film and Communications
Starring in the controversial film Ecstasy put Hedy Lamarr on the map. This film eventually led to others and would provide the platform for Lamarr to become a celebrity known internationally. Her desire to help came as a result of her having seen the devastation Nazis dealt throughout Austria and the rest of Europe during the time. Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story is a highly-rated documentary further exploring Lamarr’s story and is available for streaming on Roku, Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, and YouTube. The story of Hedy Lamarr shows that within each and every one of us are multiple talents that have the ability to impact the world around us. Her contributions may not have ended up being applied to their intended goal, but the ramifications birthed from Lamarr’s invention are easily some of the biggest in modern history. More like this:All-Black Female 6888th Central Postal Battalion To Be Recognized
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