The Actress Turned Inventor

 

Hollywood knew Hedy Lamarr as one of the most glamorous actresses in the world. What it didn’t know was what she did after filming wrapped.

 

During World War II, Lamarr grew frustrated reading about Allied ships being torpedoed because their radio-controlled guidance systems were easy to jam. She decided that was a solvable problem.

 

So she solved it.

 

Working with composer George Antheil, Lamarr co-invented a system that transformed radio frequencies so signals couldn’t be intercepted or blocked. The idea was too advanced for the Navy., so it was filed away and ignored.

 

Decades later, engineers rediscovered it.