Hedy Lamarr (Beautifully Varied)

Invention of Spread Spectrum Technology

Although better known for her Silver Screen exploits, Austrian actress Hedy Lamarr (born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler) also became a pioneer in the field of wireless communications following her emigration to the United States. The international beauty icon, along with co-inventor George Anthiel, developed a "Secret Communications System" to help combat the Nazis in World War II. By manipulating radio frequencies at irregular intervals between transmission and reception, the invention formed an unbreakable code to prevent classified messages from being intercepted by enemy personnel.

Lamarr and Anthiel received a patent in 1941, but the enormous significance of their invention was not realized until decades later. It was first implemented on naval ships during the Cuban Missile Crisis and subsequently emerged in numerous military applications. But most importantly, the "spread spectrum" technology that Lamarr helped to invent would galvanize the digital communications boom, forming the technical backbone that makes cellular phones, fax machines and other wireless operations possible.

Hedy Lamarr quotes

Men are most virile and most attractive between the ages of 35 and 55. Under 35 a man has too much to learn, and I don't have time to teach him.

Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.

I am not ashamed to say that no man I ever met was my father's equal, and I never loved any other man as much.

A good painting to me has always been like a friend. It keeps me company, comforts and inspires.

Men are most virile and most attractive between the ages of 35 and 55. Under 35 a man has too much to learn, and I don't have time to teach him.

I've met the most interesting people while flying or on a boat. These methods of travel seem to attract the kind of people I want to be with.

I have never seen a wrestling match or a prize fight, and I don't want to. When I find out a man is interested in these sports, I drop him.

I find very often that very ugly women have really handsome men and vice versa because they don't have any competition. Sometimes handsome men have avoided me.

I can excuse everything but boredom. Boring people don't have to stay that way.

I'd rather wear jewels in my hair than anywhere else. The face should have the advantage of this brilliance.

Lawyers know how to take isolated complaints in a divorce case and build them into one big one.