Hedy Lamarr...and Wi-Fi?

Sunday, November 9th, would have been screen goddess Hedy Lamarr's 100th birthday*. According to an article on c|net, she helped develop an "early version of spread spectrum communication, which is part of the basis for wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi." She died in 2000.

Here's some interesting facts about her from IMDb:

• Was known as the "most beautiful woman in Hollywood."
• Her invention used the earliest known form of the telecommunications method known as "frequency hopping. It used a piano roll to change between 88 frequencies (there are 88 keys on a piano). It was intended to make radio-guided torpedoes harder for enemies to detect or jam.
• The mansion used in The Sound of Music (1965) belonged to her at the time.
• Was the inspiration for DC Comics Anti-Hero, Catwoman.
• Knew nine languages.
• Volunteered at the Hollywood Canteen.

Signing her autograph in the cement court at the Hollywood Canteen - source (lots of great pictures!)

Doing dishes with actress Mary Gordon in the kitchen of the Hollywood Canteen,

November, 1943 - source

*November 9th was also my grandfather's 100th birthday! Who knew they were born the same day!