204. Hedy Lamarr, Star Inventor
She was called “the most beautiful woman in the world,” but silver screen siren Hedy Lamarr was much more than just a pretty face. Looking to help combat German U-boats during WWII, she pioneered technology that today serves as the basis for wireless innovations like Bluetooth, GPS and Wifi. Lamar received scant recognition and no monetary compensation for the idea that spawned a multi-billion-dollar communications industry, but in this week’s bonus episode, Amy gives credit where credit is due and attempts to answer the “how” and “why” behind Lamarr’s genius.
Head to our Patreon for this subscriber-only episode.
Mentioned in this episode:
Hedy’s Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World by Richard Rhodes
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story on Netflix
Ballet Mecanique by George Antheil
Frequency hopping spread spectrum
Lost Ladies of Lit Episode No. 101 on Sylvia Beach and Ulysses
The 1933 film Ecstasy starring Hedy Lamarr