Hedy Lamarr invented “Frequency-Hopping Spread-Spectrum” Hedy Lamarr (born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler) was an Austrian actress and inventor of the 20th century. Hedy Lamarr came up with an idea for tracking torpedoes that used a method that rapidly switched the transmitted frequencies (referred to as ‘frequency hopping’) such that the enemy wouldn’t be able to pick up and interfere with the transmission. She appeared in 30 films over a 28-year career and co-invented an early version of frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication for torpedo guidance. According to "Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story," a documentary about Hedy’s life and genius, frequency-hopping alone is estimated to be worth $30 billion. | Illustration by Cort Kreer. She was born in 1914 in Vienna and was the only child of Gertrud and Emil Kiesler. https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/hedy-lamarr Hedy Lamar, a glamour girl from the early 20th century, was an iconic actress known for her beauty. Hedy Lamarr. In 1962’s Cuban Missile Crisis, all U.S. ships on a blockade line around Cuba were armed with torpedoes guided by a “frequency-hopping” system. Hedy Lamarr was not only an actress but also a brilliant inventor, patenting a form of frequency hopping used in most wireless communications today. She was also an inventor, decades ahead of her time, in the field of radio communication. While the patent, held by both Lamarr and Antheil, didn’t expire until 1959, neither received any compensation for the use and implementation of their work. Actor by day and inventor by night, Hedy Lamarr is celebrated in the world of radio communications for her endless curiosity. It’s Women’s History Month on Energy.gov. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/hedy-lamarr-movie-star-inventor-of-wifi Hedy Lamarr (/ ˈ h ɛ d i /, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler; September or November 9, 1914 – January 19, 2000) was an Austrian-born American actress, inventor, and film producer. Hedy Lamarr was a well-known actress in the 1930s and 40s, but she also invented "frequency hopping" -- the basis for wireless technology today. Still, above all, the fact which is less known about her is that she was a brilliant inventor. Late Life & Awards Hedy Lamarr was considered one of the most beautiful actresses of the 1930s and 1940s. Lamarr-Antheil patent: The sole Lamarr-Antheil patent outlines a process for frequency hopping using techniques similar to those in player pianos (diagram below).