| Hedy Lamarr was a movie star.
She was born November 9, 1914, in Austria. When Hedy was born,
her name was Hewing Kiesler. When she became a movie
star in Austria, she changed it. When she was 19, Hedy married Fritz Mandl whose company built guns and torpedoes. Hedy Lamarr became interested in radio signals. Hedy Lamarr invented the torpedo guidance system. The torpedo guidance system was invented in 1942. The purpose of this invention was to control armed torpedoes across great distances. This invention was planned. Hedy Lamarr wanted to improve torpedoes and wanted to help the United States in the war. Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil got the idea from a piano that plays by itself. George Ahtheil was Hedy Lamarr’s friend who helped her invent the torpedo guidance system. Hedy got a patent in 1942. The invention was not popular at first. In 1962, the Navy finally bought it. Hedy’s invention did not make her rich and famous because she already was famous as a Hollywood actress. Hedy Lamarr died in Florida on January 19, 2000. Works Cited Gaines, Ann. Hedy Lamarr: Discover the Life of an Inventor. 2002. “Share.” http://www.ncafe.com/chris/pat2/patstart.com. 2/24/04. |