Description
Born in Austria as Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler, she chose the stage name Hedy Lamarr when she became an actress from 1933 to 1958. Her greatest role was Delilah in Cecil B. DeMille’s Samson and Delilah. Hedy and composer George Antheil created a radio guidance system, at the beginning of WWII, to be used with Allied radio-controlled torpedoes. By using spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology their guidance system would be able to stop the Axis Powers threat of jamming. The principles of their work are incorporated in Bluetooth and GPS technology and are similar to methods used in Wi-Fi. The US Navy did not adopt this technology until the 1960s. Antheil and Lamarr were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014.
Frequency Hopping
In 1942, Lamarr and Antheil were awarded a patent for their system of “frequency hopping” amongst radio waves with both transmitter and receiver hopping to new frequencies at irregular periods. This prevented the interception of radio waves by the enemy, thereby allowing a torpedo to find its intended target. Lamarr never made money from frequency hopping which is estimated to be worth over $30 billion today.
This Hedy Lamarr History Mug is part of our biographical mug series which includes many unique individuals.
The biographical History Mugs were created to teach and inspire individuals to learn about our diverse and interesting history. The biographies were researched and written by history enthusiast, Robert Compton. He colorized most of the historic photos and images used on the mugs, which were originally black and white or sepia tone. The images and biographies are imprinted on mugs at his studio in rural Vermont.
- Mugs are food and microwave safe.
- To preserve photographic quality we recommend hand washing.
- Mugs are usually shipped within 3-5 days.
- Shipping charges are lower when buying multiple mugs.
