Hedy Kiesler, a Jewish actress in 1930s Vienna, escapes an abusive marriage to an Austrian arms dealer with close ties to the Nazi regime. Fleeing to Hollywood under the name Hedy Lamarr, she builds a legendary film career while hiding her private intelligence regarding German military technology. Driven by guilt over the rising tide of the war, she partners with composer George Antheil to develop a radio-controlled frequency-hopping signal designed to prevent torpedo jamming. This invention eventually provides the scientific foundation for modern wireless communication.
Historical fiction enthusiasts read this account to recover the technical history of a woman known primarily for her physical appearance. The narrative serves readers interested in the intersection of celebrity, wartime espionage, and scientific innovation. You finish the book with a clear understanding of Lamarr’s intellectual contributions to the Allied effort and the specific social barriers that prevented her sophisticated signal technology from being implemented by the Navy during her own lifetime.
- Published
- 2019
- Language
- EN
