Adorable Story #115: Hedy Lamarr

The Woman Who Invented the Future

“Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.”

— Hedy Lamarr

Actress Hedy Lamarr in a publicity portrait for MGM Studios

Hedy Lamarr was a Hollywood icon turned inventor, whose stunning beauty was matched only by her brilliant mind and extraordinary ingenuity. Renowned for her screen presence and box office triumphs, few realize that Hedy was also a visionary pioneer in technology, decades ahead of her time.

Her groundbreaking innovations laid the foundation for modern communication systems, powering everything from Wi-Fi to GPS.

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Table of Contents: Early Years / Education / Friedrich Mandl / Marriage / Escape to Paris / London / Hollywood / George Antheil / U.S. Navy Skepticism / Cinema Career After WWII / Personal Life / Rediscovery of Her Invention / Later Years

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Early Years

Hedy Lamarr was born as Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9th, 1914, in Vienna, Austria-Hungary (now Austria).

Her father, Emil Kiesler, was a successful banker, and her mother, Gertrud Lichtwitz, was a pianist.

Emil and Gertrud Kiesler were a well-to-do Jewish family who provided Hedy with a privileged upbringing. Their home was located near the Liechtenstein Garden Palace, an upscale area known for its elegant architecture and cultural vibrancy.