As week two of Women’s History Month comes to an end, I would like to introduce you to a woman who made an impact on multiple industries. This week we shine the spotlight on a lady who made waves in Hollywood and the Tech industry:-

Hedy Lamarr who was born in 1914 in Vienna, enjoyed a widely varied career as a Hollywood actress, a film producer and an inventor.

Hedy was most well-known for her roles in Oscar-nominated films during the 1940s and was often referred to as "the world's most beautiful woman". However her greatest legacy was the frequency-hopping technology that she developed with George Antheil in 1941.

Hedy and George filed a patent for their invention of a radio guidance system which hopped between frequencies so Allied torpedoes would not be detected by the Nazis. While the technology was not used during WWII, it was used during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later informed the creation of Secure WiFi, GPS and Bluetooth technology.

Despite recognition from the U.S military for her contribution to technology and the multi-billion-pound industry her invention helped create, Hedy's patent expired before she saw any benefit. 

In both her film career and as an inventor, Hedy was judged on her looks. She attempted to join the National Inventors Council (a government organisation created in 1940 to help bring military inventions to the attention of the US armed forces). But was advised that if she really wanted to help the war effort, she should use her fame and looks to "sell kisses" to help sell war bonds and entertain troops. 

As an actress, Hedy had a contract with head of MGM studios, Louis B. Mayer, who often typecast her in femme fatale roles. While Hedy saw huge success with MGM she was tired of being typecast, so seeking more substantial roles prompted Hedy to start her own Production Company, becoming one of the first female producers in Hollywood. 

Despite being repeatedly stereotyped, typecast, and judged, towards the end of her life, Hedy's technological achievements were recognised, she became the first woman to receive the Invention Convention’s Bulbie Gnass Spirit of Achievement Award and posthumously, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014 for her frequency hopping technology.

You can read our first post on Celebrating Women's History Month here.

Find more information of Hedy Lamarr below. 

Hedy Lamarr: The Incredible Mind Behind Secure WiFi, GPS And Bluetooth

Hedy Lamarr - Women's History