Profile of the Day: Hedy Lamarr

Posted November 9, 2023 by Amanda | No Comment

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about an ancestor? On this day in 1914, actress Hedy Lamarr was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungry. Although Lamarr was best known as an actress during MGM’s “Golden Age,” you may be surprised to learn about her background as an inventor and the role she played in the creation of wireless communication.

Image: Hedy Lamarr / Wikimedia Commons

During the 1940s, Lamarr starred in several successful films. But as World War II raged, Lamarr felt a strong need to contribute to the war effort. Together with composer George Anthell, Lamarr patented a “Secret Communications System,” which was an early technique for frequency hopping. Although originally developed to prevent the Nazis from jamming Allied signals, the system would become an important step in the development of wireless communication technologies we use today.

Unfortunately, the significance of Lamarr’s achievement was not recognized during her lifetime. She died on January 19, 2000 at the age of 85.

How are you related to Hedy Lamarr? Explore her family tree and discover how you’re connected!