(11.5) How smart was actress Hedy Lamarr? In 1941 she and her friend, pianist George Antheil, secured a patent for frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology that could prevent torpedo guidance systems from getting jammed. So yeah, pretty damn smart. No biggie, just trying to help defeat the Nazis.
This spread spectrum technology ended up revolutionizing mobile communications and would lead to the creation of secure communications for wireless phones, Bluetooth, GPS, and WiFi technology itself.
Lamarr and Anthiel received a patent in 1941, but the enormous significance of their invention was not realized until decades later. It was first implemented on naval ships during the Cuban Missile Crisis and subsequently emerged in numerous military applications.
Lamarr starred in one of my favorite all-time movies playing the female lead in “Samson and Delilah.” (Fun fact: Angela Lansbury plays her older, much hotter, sister.)
Head down to the Cable Car Cinema Sunday for a screening of the new documentary, “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story,” directed by Alexandra Dean. Looks like another great entry in the Providence Art & Design Film Festival (PADFF), running now through November 12.
AND — the movie will be followed by a Q&A with my all-time favorite industrial designer, Matthew Bird.
Matthew Bird has participated in many activities that have helped define Providence from running the RISD street sale to opening retail ventures like RISD works and The Curatorium. He has taught Industrial Design at RISD for 12 years, and designed a number of iconic objects of local interest like the Manchester Street Power Station mugs and t-shirts and the RISD tote bag and umbrella. As a design historian he is on the hunt for under-represented designers who helped shape our world, and focused on identifying female designers who have worked in the shadows of fame but deserve a brighter spotlight.
Bird is witty and smart and you should never miss an opportunity to hear him speak about any topic whatsoever. I am hoping to add Hedy Lamarr to a list that now includes: stamps, dirigibles.
6:15pm to 8:15pm, Sunday, November 5, Cable Car Cinema, 204 South Main Street, (directions)