Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler was born in Vienna, Austria-Hungary to Emil and Gertrud. Her father was a bank manager and her mother was an accomplished pianist. At the age 12 she won a beauty contest in Vienna. As a child she would take long walks with her father as he explained how various technologies in society functioned.
One day, she forged a permission note from her mother and was hired at the age of 16 as a script girl. By the time he was 18, she was in the movie business. She married Friedrich when she was 18. However, Fredrich was a controlling husband, she disguised herself as a maid and fled to Paris. She arrived in London in 1937. From there she made her way to Hollywood in 1938. Her career lasted 28 years. She died in 2000, she was 85.
What you may not know about Hedwig is that she was also an inventor. Along with George Antheil they developed a radio guidance system using frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology for Allied torpedoes intended to defeat the threat of jamming by the Axis powers.
While you may not recognize Hedwig, surely you know her stage name Hedy Lamarr?
Your day is worthwhile when you make someone smile, so give the free gift of a smile today
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