Hedy Lamarr was born as Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9, 1914. She was born in Vienna, Austria, and was an only child. As a child, she became interested in film and theater and trained in Berlin, before returning home and working in the industry. She was discovered by an Austrian film director as a teenager and gained international notice.
After ending an unhappy marriage, she travelled to America. She signed a contract with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio under the name Hedy Lamarr. She went on to star in many successful films.
In 1942, Lamarr and a friend (the composer George Antheil) patented a radio signaling device. This device was able to change radio frequencies to help stop enemies from decoding messages. This technology was an important step in maintaining the security of military communications and cell phones.
This invention wasn't immediately noticed, and it wasn't until 1997 that Lamarr and Antheil were honored with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Pioneer Award. Later that year, Lamarr was the first woman to receive the BULBIE™ Gnass Spirit of Achievement Award.
After ending an unhappy marriage, she travelled to America. She signed a contract with the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio under the name Hedy Lamarr. She went on to star in many successful films.
In 1942, Lamarr and a friend (the composer George Antheil) patented a radio signaling device. This device was able to change radio frequencies to help stop enemies from decoding messages. This technology was an important step in maintaining the security of military communications and cell phones.
This invention wasn't immediately noticed, and it wasn't until 1997 that Lamarr and Antheil were honored with the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) Pioneer Award. Later that year, Lamarr was the first woman to receive the BULBIE™ Gnass Spirit of Achievement Award.
