The next time you connect to WiFi or pair your Bluetooth headphones, take a moment to appreciate an unlikely pioneer: Hedy Lamarr. Best known as a glamorous Hollywood actress of the 1940s, Lamarr was also a brilliant inventor. Her groundbreaking work in frequency hopping helped shape the wireless technologies we rely on today.
But how did a glamorous film actress from Hollywood’s Golden Age become a pioneer of wireless technology? The story involves music, torpedoes, and an invention so ahead of its time that it took decades for technology to catch up.
The Actress Turned Inventor
Hedy Lamarr wasn’t just a film star—she had a deep curiosity for how things worked. Born in Austria in 1914 as Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler, she had a natural talent for science. After moving to America and becoming a major film star, she continued to explore innovative ideas in her spare time.
While most saw only her glamorous persona, Lamarr was developing ideas that would revolutionize communication technology. Her most significant invention came through an unlikely partnership and a shared love of music.
From Piano Duets to Military Communications
The story of Lamarr’s greatest invention begins with an unlikely partnership and a creative game involving pianos.
“She was working with a composer, Theil, they would play this game where one would play a song on the piano and the other would figure out what was playing and match it on piano,” explains Tom Borkowski, founder of TPK Advanced Wireless. This collaboration with composer George Antheil laid the foundation for one of the most important telecommunications advances of the 20th century.
As World War II raged on, Lamarr, who had fled Nazi-controlled Austria, wanted to help the Allied war effort. She and Antheil turned their attention to a critical military problem: the vulnerability of radio-controlled torpedoes to jamming and interference.
The Torpedo Problem and Frequency Hopping Solution
“They were having problems with torpedoes being interfered with or not being able to control the trajectory of a torpedo when it gets launched,” says Tom. “There was this idea to use radio control to be able to steer these to attack German U-boats, but the problem is they could interfere with the signal, could cause interference and jam them.”
Inspired by player pianos, Lamarr and Antheil devised a technique called frequency hopping. “They came up with this idea of using frequency hopping spectrum,” notes Tom. “Instead of just sending data and transmissions on one frequency, it would actually hop to different ones. It would do this and allow you to be able to send communications without it being jammed or intercepted.”
Their system worked by synchronizing the transmitter and receiver to rapidly switch between 88 different frequencies—the number of keys on a piano. This made it nearly impossible for enemy forces to disrupt or jam the signal.
Patent Granted, But Innovation Overlooked
In 1942, Lamarr and Antheil received U.S. Patent Number 2,292,387 for their “Secret Communication System.” However, the U.S. Navy failed to implement the technology at the time.
“It never took off with the navy because they didn’t understand why you would want to put a piano on a torpedo, they didn’t understand the concept,” Tom explains. The mechanical nature of their design, combined with skepticism about a Hollywood actress contributing to military technology, led to their idea being ignored.
From Forgotten Patent to Modern Wireless Connectivity
For nearly two decades, the patent gathered dust. Eventually, engineers revisited the concept, recognizing its potential. “Afterwards it did end up getting adopted by the navy and cellular carriers started carrying that as well as their preferred method of communication,” says Tom.
As technology advanced, frequency hopping evolved into spread spectrum communication, becoming foundational for secure military transmissions. By the 1980s and 90s, it had made its way into consumer technology.
“The original WiFi specs did use frequency hopping spectrum,” Tom points out. While WiFi evolved to use other spread spectrum techniques, Lamarr’s concept remained critical in the development of wireless networking. Today, Bluetooth technology still relies on frequency hopping to:
- Minimize interference from other wireless devices
- Improve security by making signals harder to intercept
- Allow multiple devices to share the limited 2.4 GHz frequency band
- Create more reliable connections in crowded wireless environments
“It is still used for Bluetooth,” Tom confirms, underscoring Lamarr’s lasting impact on wireless communication.
The Legacy of Hedy Lamarr’s Innovation
For most of her life, Lamarr’s contributions to technology remained unrecognized. It wasn’t until 1997 that the Electronic Frontier Foundation honored her with a Pioneer Award. In 2014, she was posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame.
Her story is now an inspiration for women in STEM, proving that innovation can come from unexpected places and that interdisciplinary knowledge—such as music and engineering—can lead to revolutionary breakthroughs.
The Wireless Revolution Continues
The principles behind Lamarr’s frequency hopping innovation continue to evolve in today’s increasingly connected world. As we move into the era of 5G, IoT, and beyond, secure wireless communication remains as crucial as ever.
“From a design perspective, we’re obviously designing now for 6GHz vs 5 and 2.4,” Tom explains, referring to the newest Wi-Fi 6E standard. “The designs that worked for 5 and 2.4 may not be suitable for 6. It does not penetrate walls as well, the cell sizes need to be smaller.”
This evolution highlights an important lesson from Lamarr’s story: wireless technology continually adapts to new challenges and requirements, but the fundamental need for secure, reliable communications remains constant.
Modern wireless networks face many of the same core challenges that Lamarr’s invention addressed:
- Avoiding interference in crowded spectrum environments
- Securing communications from unauthorized interception
- Ensuring reliable transmission in varying environmental conditions
- Maximizing the efficient use of available frequency bands
The solutions may have grown more sophisticated, but they build upon the pioneering work of innovators like Lamarr who approached problems with fresh perspectives.
Building a Strong Wireless Network
Just as Hedy Lamarr’s frequency hopping innovation paved the way for secure wireless communication, your business needs a strong, reliable network to meet today’s demands. Outdated systems can lead to dead zones, slow connections, and inconsistent performance—frustrating both employees and customers.
TPK Advanced Wireless specializes in designing and optimizing wireless networks that deliver seamless, high-performance connectivity. As a vendor-agnostic, customer-focused company, they provide cost-effective, future-proof solutions without unnecessary upselling.
Don’t let an underperforming network hold your business back. Contact TPK Advanced Wireless today to schedule a comprehensive site survey and take the first step toward a network built for the future.
Like Lamarr’s groundbreaking approach to technology, TPK Advanced Wireless believes that thinking differently leads to smarter solutions. Let them help you create a wireless network that keeps your business connected and competitive.