Hedy Lamarr: The Inventor Who Happened to Also Be a Hollywood Actress

I think it’s fair to say that the internet has changed the world, right? Now, try to imagine using the internet without Wi-Fi. Sure, we used to in the old “dial-up” days, but that feels like ages ago. This fantastic invention might not have ever existed if it weren’t for the intellect and ingenuity of some very clever people.

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Photo by United Artists, Kobal, Shutterstock / Source: Pinterest

You know of the big names like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, but did you know that one incredible woman contributed a huge amount to the development of the internet and tech world? And she wasn’t some Nobel Prize winner or famous scientist. Hedy Lamarr was none other than a Hollywood movie star. And the starlet had quite a fascinating life, which involved helping create one of the most important inventions of all time.

Who Was This Hollywood Starlet?

Hedy Lamarr was an Austrian-American actress, who doubled as an inventor on the side. She was known for her stunning looks and incredible acting skills, but in no way was she just a pretty face. The actress was also a brilliant woman. So who was this Hollywood starlet?

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Hedy Lamarr 1918. Photo by Snap / Shutterstock

Lamarr, like so many Hollywood stars, decided to change her name to fit into the “mould” of Tinseltown. She was actually born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler. Back then, it was common for stars to use different names, especially since many of them had European origins (any names of German backgrounds weren’t warmly received by the public). Lamarr was born in 1914 in the beautiful city of Vienna, Austria.

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