Hedy Lamarr, Movie Star Inventor
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Hedy Lamarr - Beauty and Brains
"Any girl can be glamorous," Hedy Lamarr famously said. "All she has to do is stand still and look stupid."
Lamarr was certainly glamorous -- even in the "Golden Age" of Hollywood, when competition for "The Most Beautiful Woman in Films" was never more fierce -- but she was far from stupid.
The Austrian-American movie star's native intelligence, her keen interest in new technologies, and a chance meeting with an avant-garde composer, led her to the concept of "frequency hopping" and a 1942 patent for a torpedo guidance system that was a generation ahead of its time. It was this invention that has, in large part, laid the foundation for the cell phone technology we rely on today.
Photo credit: Hedy Lamarr by classic film scans, on Flickr.
Lamarr was certainly glamorous -- even in the "Golden Age" of Hollywood, when competition for "The Most Beautiful Woman in Films" was never more fierce -- but she was far from stupid.
The Austrian-American movie star's native intelligence, her keen interest in new technologies, and a chance meeting with an avant-garde composer, led her to the concept of "frequency hopping" and a 1942 patent for a torpedo guidance system that was a generation ahead of its time. It was this invention that has, in large part, laid the foundation for the cell phone technology we rely on today.
Photo credit: Hedy Lamarr by classic film scans, on Flickr.
Hedy's Folly
The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
Pulitzer Prize-winning author's Richard Rhodes' remarkable - and long-awaited - new biography of Hedy Lamarr was published by Doubleday, November 2011.
Hedy's Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
Amazon Price: $10.77 (as of 06/01/2012)
List Price: $26.95
What other book brings together 1920s Paris, player pianos, Nazi weaponry, and digital wireless into one satisfying whole? In its juxtaposition of Hollywood glamour with the reality of a brutal war, Hedy's Folly is a riveting book about unlikely amateur inventors collaborating to change the world.
A Young Beauty: Hedy Lamarr
Photo credit: Hedy Lamarr by classic film scans, on Flickr.
Hedy Lamarr was born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler, near Vienna, Austria, on November 19, 1913. Her father, Emil Kiesler, was a successful bank director and her mother, Gertrud Lichtwitz, a pianist. During her late teens, Hedy studied acting at Max Reinhardt's famous school in Berlin.
Her first film appearance, in 1930, at the age of 17, was a bit part in the German film Das Geld liegt auf der Straße (Money on the Street), followed by larger roles in Die Frau von Lindenau (Storm in a Water Glass), Die Abenteuer des Herrn O. F. (The Trunks of Mr. O. F.), both 1931, and Man braucht kein Geld (We Don't Need Money) in 1932.
It was her appearance in the 1933 Chek film Ekstase (Ecstasy), however, with its scandal-making footage of the young actress running nude through the forest, that propelled Hedy Kiesler Lamarr to early fame. Ecstasy was banned by the US government and denounced by the Pope -- and Hedy's husband was even less happy about it.
Ecstasy (1933)
Bad Marriage to Friedrich Mandl
Shortly before the release of Ekstase, in 1930, Hedy Riesler became the "trophy wife" of Viennese millionaire arms dealer Friedrich "Fritz" Mandl, 13 years her senior and, by all accounts, possessive of his beautiful young bride.
In her autobiography, Ecstasy and Me, Lamarr describes Mandl as "extremely controlling." She was often required to attend business and technical meetings with him, or stay confined to their home. She suggests that Fritz Mandl consorted with Nazi industrialists, despite being partly Jewish; though his political bent was more to Austrofascism than Nazism, the autobiography reports that Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler attended Mandl's parties.
Several versions have been told of how, exactly, Hedy's separation from her first husband was accomplished, including one in which she escaped only by disguising herself as a maid. She fled to Paris where, in 1937, she obtained a divorce from Friedrich Mandl.
Ecstasy and Me:
My Life As A Woman
In her autobiography, Ecstasy and Me, Lamarr describes Mandl as "extremely controlling." She was often required to attend business and technical meetings with him, or stay confined to their home. She suggests that Fritz Mandl consorted with Nazi industrialists, despite being partly Jewish; though his political bent was more to Austrofascism than Nazism, the autobiography reports that Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler attended Mandl's parties.
Several versions have been told of how, exactly, Hedy's separation from her first husband was accomplished, including one in which she escaped only by disguising herself as a maid. She fled to Paris where, in 1937, she obtained a divorce from Friedrich Mandl.
On to Hollywood!
On the sea voyage that took her from Paris to America, Hedy Kiesler was "discovered" by Louis B. Mayer of the legendary MGM studio, and he signed her to a $500 a week contract. Hedy Lamarr, the Hollywood movie star , was "born."
MGM: Hollywood's Greatest Backlot
MGM: Hollywood's Greatest Backlot
Amazon Price: $21.95 (as of 06/01/2012)
Hedy Lamarr: Films of the 1930s
In Europe:
Hedy Lamarr's film career in North America began with Algiers (with Charles Boyer) in 1938. The movie is now in the public domain, and is available for free download from the Internet Archive.
Two short subjects -- Hollywood Goes to Town (1938) and Screen Snapshots: Stars at a Charity Ball (1939) -- were followed by Lady of the Tropics (1939).
Photo credit: Lady of the Tropics trailer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
- Das Geld liegt auf der Straße (Money on the Street), 1930
- Die Frau von Lindenau (Storm in a Water Glass), 1931
- Die Abenteuer des Herrn O. F. (The Trunks of Mr. O. F.), 1931
- Man braucht kein Geld (We Don't Need Money), 1932
- Ekstase (Ecstasy), 1933
Hedy Lamarr's film career in North America began with Algiers (with Charles Boyer) in 1938. The movie is now in the public domain, and is available for free download from the Internet Archive.
Two short subjects -- Hollywood Goes to Town (1938) and Screen Snapshots: Stars at a Charity Ball (1939) -- were followed by Lady of the Tropics (1939).
Photo credit: Lady of the Tropics trailer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Lady of the Tropics (1939) Trailer
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Silver Screen Legends: Hedy Lamarr Collector Set DVD
Silver Screen Legends: Hedy Lamarr Collector Set
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 06/01/2012)
This collection includes four features: Algiers (1939), The Strange Woman (1946), Dishonored Lady (1947), and Let's Live a Little (1948). It is manufactured on demand in NTSC format: All Regions, using DVD-R recordable media.
Hedy Lamarr: Films of the 1940s
- I Take This Woman, 1940
- Boom Town, 1940
- Comrade X, 1940
- Come Live With Me, 1941
- Ziegfeld Girl, 1941
- H.M. Pulham, Esq., 1941
- Tortilla Flat, 1942
- Crossroads, 1942
- White Cargo, 1942
- Show Business at War (short), 1943
- The Heavenly Body, 1944
- The Conspirators, 1944
- Experiment Perilous, 1944
- Her Highness and the Bellboy, 1945
- The Strange Woman, 1946
- Dishonored Lady, 1947
- Let's Live a Little, 1948
- Samson and Delilah, 1949
Both The Strange Woman (1946) and Dishonored Lady (1947) are now in the public domain, and available for free download at the Internet Archive.
Photo: Screenshot from Dishonored Lady [public domain], own collection
Hedy Lamarr: 1940 Movies
Boom Town (1940) Trailer
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Hedy Lamarr: 1941 Movies
Come Live With Me (1941) Trailer
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Ziegfeld Girl (1941) Trailer
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Hedy Lamarr: 1942 Movies
Crossroads (1942) Trailer
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White Cargo (1942) Trailer
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Tortilla Flat (1942) Trailer
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Hedy Lamarr and a Secret Communication System: Graphic Novel
In graphic novel format, Hedy Lamarr and a Secret Communication System tells the story of how Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr came up with the idea for a secret communication system, which would much later become the basis for wireless technology.
Hedy Lamarr and a Secret Communication System (Inventions and Discovery series) (Graphic Library: Inventions and Discovery)
Amazon Price: $4.11 (as of 06/01/2012)
Age Level: 8 and up
Grade Level: 3 and up
US Patent 2,292,387: Lamarr & Antheil
The most celebrated invention of frequency hopping was that of actress Hedy Lamarr and composer George Antheil, who in 1942 received patent number 2,292,387 for their "Secret Communications System."
Image credit: US Patent 2,292,387 - Lamarr & Antheil by pashasha, on Flickr
Information Pioneer: Hedy Lamarr
In this short video from Information Pioneers (BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT), Miranda Raison presents Hedy Lamarr, the Hollywood actress who co-invented frequency hopping.
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Richard Rhodes on Hedy's Folly
[Hedy's Folly] tells the story of the Austrian-American actress Hedy Lamarr's invention of frequency-hopping radio, a technology she put to use, working with the avant-garde composer George Antheil, in designing and patenting a jam-proof, radio-controlled torpedo.
She donated the patent to the U.S. Navy in 1942. The Navy ignored it, but in the early 1950s it was taken up by a defense contractor and applied to a submarine listening device. Then other defense contractors used it to make jam-proof radio systems for the U.S. military.
In the early 1980s, when the military declassified it, it became the basis for Bluetooth, GPS, wireless telephones and many other present-day communication systems.
~ Richard Rhodes
She donated the patent to the U.S. Navy in 1942. The Navy ignored it, but in the early 1950s it was taken up by a defense contractor and applied to a submarine listening device. Then other defense contractors used it to make jam-proof radio systems for the U.S. military.
In the early 1980s, when the military declassified it, it became the basis for Bluetooth, GPS, wireless telephones and many other present-day communication systems.
~ Richard Rhodes
"The Most Beautiful Woman in Films"
Hedy Lamarr: 1943-1949 Movies
The Heavenly Body (1944) Trailer
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Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945) Trailer
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Experiment Perilious (1944) Trailer
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Samson and Delilah (1949) Trailer
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Hedy Lamarr: After the War
Through the 1950s, Hedy Lamarr appeared far less often in films than she had during the very active 1940s. Of course, entering her forties, she was no longer the fresh young sex symbol that Hollywood demanded, and even the softest of lighting could not disguise the effects of time.
By then, too, she was the mother of three -- James Lamarr Markey (born in 1939), Denise Loder (born 1945), and Anthony Loder (born 1947). Perhaps her image as a "screen siren" was no longer as comfortable a role for her as it once had been?
In any case, the taste of the cinema-going North American public was changing, as the drive for progress and prosperity took the place of the wartime yen to escape harsh realities through the big silver screen.
By then, too, she was the mother of three -- James Lamarr Markey (born in 1939), Denise Loder (born 1945), and Anthony Loder (born 1947). Perhaps her image as a "screen siren" was no longer as comfortable a role for her as it once had been?
In any case, the taste of the cinema-going North American public was changing, as the drive for progress and prosperity took the place of the wartime yen to escape harsh realities through the big silver screen.
Hedy Lamarr: Films of the 1950s
The movies of the 1950s in which Hedy Lamarr appeared were:- A Lady Without Passport, 1950
- Copper Canyon, 1950
- My Favorite Spy, 1951
- The Eternal Female, 1954 (unfinished)
- Loves of Three Queens,1954
- The Story of Mankind,1957
- The Female Animal,1958
Photo credit: A Lady Without Passport trailer) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Hedy Lamarr: 1950s Movies
A Lady Without Passport (1950) Trailer
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Read More about Hedy Lamarr
Hedy Lamarr: Photo Gallery
Hedy Lamarr: Collectibles on eBay
Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood on DVD
Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood
Amazon Price: $28.68 (as of 06/01/2012)
The Golden Age of Hollywood: Books
The Golden Age of Hollywood: Collectibles on eBay
The Golden Age of Hollywood: Documentary Films
Are you a fan of Hedy Lamarr?
"Any girl can be glamorous. All she has to do is stand still and look stupid."
Discuss. :-)
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WindyWinters
May 14, 2012 @ 2:20 pm | delete
- Congrats on your Purple Star! Hubby and mother-in-law are huge fans of old time cinema movies. I'm only familiar with her name but really enjoyed learning about her career and interesting US patent. :)
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Leopold-Blatt
Mar 17, 2012 @ 4:14 am | delete
- Modern stars couldn't hold a candle to Hedy.
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bloomingrose
Mar 14, 2012 @ 4:37 am | delete
- I really enjoyed learning more about this beautiful talented woman. Angel Blessed for all your hard work in putting this together!
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BucketTrucks
Feb 8, 2012 @ 2:55 pm | delete
- Wow, in a lot of her photos, she looks jsut like Vivienne Leigh, my favorite.
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oxfordian
Jan 23, 2012 @ 10:15 am | delete
- I've loved Hedy Lamarr for years but never knew most of the things you reveal here! Wow! Terrific lens!
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Table of Contents
Quick links, in case you want to take a second look at something here:
- Hedy's Folly
- A Young Beauty: Hedy Lamarr
- Ecstasy (1933)
- Bad Marriage to Friedrich Mandl
- On to Hollywood!
- MGM: Hollywood's Greatest Backlot
- Hedy Lamarr: Films of the 1930s
- Lady of the Tropics (1939) Trailer
- Silver Screen Legends: Hedy Lamarr Collector Set DVD
- Hedy Lamarr: Films of the 1940s
- Hedy Lamarr: 1940 Movies
- Boom Town (1940) Trailer
- Hedy Lamarr: 1941 Movies
- Come Live With Me (1941) Trailer
- Ziegfeld Girl (1941) Trailer
- Hedy Lamarr: 1942 Movies
- Crossroads (1942) Trailer
- White Cargo (1942) Trailer
- Tortilla Flat (1942) Trailer
- Hedy Lamarr and a Secret Communication System: Graphic Novel
- US Patent 2,292,387: Lamarr & Antheil
- Information Pioneer: Hedy Lamarr
- Richard Rhodes on Hedy's Folly
- "The Most Beautiful Woman in Films"
- Hedy Lamarr: 1943-1949 Movies
- The Heavenly Body (1944) Trailer
- Her Highness and the Bellboy (1945) Trailer
- Experiment Perilious (1944) Trailer
- Samson and Delilah (1949) Trailer
- Hedy Lamarr: After the War
- Hedy Lamarr: Films of the 1950s
- Hedy Lamarr: 1950s Movies
- A Lady Without Passport (1950) Trailer
- Hedy Lamarr's Last Movie
- Read More about Hedy Lamarr
- Hedy Lamarr: Photo Gallery
- Hedy Lamarr: Collectibles on eBay
- Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood on DVD
- The Golden Age of Hollywood: Books
- The Golden Age of Hollywood: Collectibles on eBay
- The Golden Age of Hollywood: Documentary Films
- About Me
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New "Must Read" Biography of Hedy Lamarr
Hardcover, Kindle, or Audio Book
Hedy's Folly: The Life and Breakthrough Inventions of Hedy Lamarr, the Most Beautiful Woman in the World
Amazon Price: $10.77 (as of 06/01/2012)
The Film That Made Hedy (In)Famous
Ecstasy Poster Movie B 11x17 Hedy Lamarr Jaromir Rogoz Aribert Mog
Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 06/01/2012)
![Lady of the Tropics trailer [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3AHedy_Lamarr_in_Lady_of_the_Tropics.jpg){kind=link}