Women and their Incredible Inventions

6. Hedy Lamarr-Spread Spectrum Technology

Hedy Lamarr is an Austrian actress who invented an early technique for spread spectrum communications and frequency hopping, along with co-inventor George Anthiel. The invention was of vital importance in battling the Nazis in World War II as the ‘secret communications system’ forms a code that prevents the interception of messages by enemies. Even though the inventors received patent, it took decades for others to realize the extreme importance of this technology and now they are showered with praises for their work, which forms the technical backbone in the production of cell phones, fax machines and other wireless operations.