The Syntax Chronicles: Hedy Lamarr — Icon and Genius
A woman who revolutionised the world
In today’s digital era, the demands on communication technology are constantly increasing. As is often the case in IT, women who make significant contributions are often overlooked. One such woman was actress Hedy Lamarr (1914–2000), whose work in this field still has an indispensable influence today.
Who was Hedy Lamarr?
Hedy Lamarr is known to many for her roles in films such as “Samson and Delilah” and “The Greatest Show on Earth”, but she was a personality who is not only known, or should be known, for her impressive career in Hollywood. In fact, she is probably one of the people whose name every child of our time should know. Off screen, she recognised the need for secure communication methods long before the world knew about Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS. Together with George Antheil, a friend and composer, she created a communication system based on frequency hopping.
So what is this frequency hopping?
Essentially, it is a system that rapidly changes the frequency of a radio signal. This means it allows wireless communication systems to serve multiple users simultaneously and with less signal interference. It allows multiple signals to use the same frequency. If one signal fails or is blocked, it simply jumps to another frequency. This method of changing frequencies is called frequency hopping. This makes it difficult for third parties to jam or intercept the signal, as they would need to know the exact frequency the signal is using. And it is precisely this method, developed by Lamarr and Antheil, that forms the basis for many modern wireless communication technologies that we use every day today.
Mockery, gloating, foresight and changing the world
The military significance of this invention was not recognised by the US Navy at first. It is said that it was scoffed at that one could not get a piano into torpedoes. Nevertheless, Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil applied for a patent for their invention on 10 June 1941 as the “Secret Communication System”. Lamarr’s invention is the perfect example of how the foresight of a woman and an artist had a lasting impact on modern communication technology and changed the face of the world forever.
Pioneering women in IT
To this day, we all benefit from Lamarr’s innovative spirit and technical brilliance. Whether we are surfing on our smartphones, using laptops or using GPS-guided navigation systems in our cars, the technology that Lamarr made possible is ubiquitous.
In addition, Lamarr was a pioneer for women in technical professions and advocated for women’s rights as a member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). She was one of the first women to receive a patent for an electronic invention. Her courage, vision and commitment are a shining example for all women in IT and that her influence should not be overlooked.
Inspiration
Hedy Lamarr is a source of inspiration to us all. Her legacy reminds us that genius knows no boundaries and that women play a crucial role in IT when given the opportunity to contribute their skills and ideas. This is a message that we must not forget and can give us the strength to carry on in difficult days, despite all odds. It is time that we give women in the IT industry the recognition they deserve.
But not only that, Hedy Lamarr proves something else that is particularly important in our time: anyone can do IT. Hedy Lamarr was not only a woman, but an artist. So if you’re thinking about diving into the depths of IT, but you’re hesitating because you’re professionally rooted elsewhere? Do it. Jump. You can do it.
I would like to add my personal opinion here:
I think it is a shame that Hedy Lamarr was only inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame 14 years after her death, in 2014. At least she was able to see her receive the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award in 1997.
Sources:
Deutschlandfunk. (n.d.). 80 Jahre Patent für Frequenzsprungverfahren — Hedy Lamarr. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/80-jahre-patent-fuer-frequenzsprungverfahren-hedy-lamarr-100.html
German Patent and Trademark Office. (n.d.). Hedy Lamarr — inventive femme fatale. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.dpma.de/dpma/veroeffentlichungen/aktuelles/patentefrauen/patentefrauen/hedylamarr/index.html
Austria-Forum. (n.d.). Frequency hopping Hedy Lamarr | 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://austria-forum.org/af/Wissenssammlungen/Briefmarken/2020/Frequenzsprungverfahren_Hedy_Lamarr
Austria.info. (n.d.). Hedy Lamarr, film diva and Lady Bluetooth. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.austria.info/de/inspiration/meister-und-meisterwerke/hedy-lamarr-filmdiva-und-lady-bluetooth
SparkFun. (n.d.). Hedy Lamarr and Frequency Hopping Technology — News. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.sparkfun.com/news/6147
Thales Group. (n.d.). Women in technology: Hedy Lamarr, the mother of Wi-Fi. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/digital-identity-and-security/magazine/women-technology-hedy-lamarr-mother-wi-fi
American Physical Society. (n.d.). Hedy Lamarr — This Month in Physics History. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/201106/physicshistory.cfm
SPIE. (n.d.). Hedy Lamarr: From Hollywood glamour to frequency-hopping, a film. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://spie.org/news/photonics-focus/septoct-2021/hedy-lamarr-from-hollywood-glamour-to-frequency-hopping
American Scientist. (n.d.). Random Paths to Frequency Hopping. Retrieved July 10, 2023, from https://www.americanscientist.org/article/random-paths-to-frequency-hopping
