The book Hedy Lamarr unravels the fascinating life of an Austro-Hungarian-born American actress and technology innovator who became a symbol of Hollywood's Golden Age. Born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9, 1914, Lamarr's journey begins with a brief early film career in Czechoslovakia, marked by the controversial film "Ecstasy" (1933). Fleeing from her first husband, Fritz, a wealthy Austrian ammunition manufacturer, Lamarr clandestinely relocated to Paris before catching the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio head Louis B. Mayer in London.
Renowned for her captivating performances in films like "Algiers" (1938) and "Samson and Delilah" (1949), Lamarr rose to stardom in Hollywood. The book delves into her MGM films, including "Lady of the Tropics" (1939), "Boom Town" (1940), "H. M. Pulham, Esq." (1941), and "White Cargo" (1942). Beyond her acting career, Lamarr's extraordinary contribution during World War II emerges, co-inventing a groundbreaking radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes alongside avant-garde composer George Antheil. Their invention utilized spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology, countering Axis powers' radio jamming threats.
This biography explores Lamarr's dual identity as a Hollywood icon and a pioneering inventor, shedding light on her enduring legacy in both the entertainment and technological realms.