A page from Hedy Lamarr's patent for spread spectrum technology- from the Smithsonian Institute.
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Born in Vienna, Austria in 1913, Hedy Lamarr was at one point one of Hollywood’s most glamorous and beautiful actresses. She was also one of the most important inventors of the twentieth century: her “spread spectrum” technology, initially conceived as a method of encoding messages to prevent interception from enemy forces, eventually went on to see many vital uses, up to and including providing a backbone for the development of cell phones and other forms of wireless communication. Her contributions to technology remained unknown, however, especially next to her status as a movie celebrity. Only in 1997, with the granting of two awards recognizing her contributions, was Hedy Lamarr finally recognized for the brilliant mind she possessed, proving that women could be much more than pretty faces.
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