Hedy Lamarr is best known as a 1940s screen siren, starring opposite leading men like Clark Gable and living a glamorous lifestyle most people could never dream of. But throughout her life, she knew she was more than just a pretty face, and turned her boredom into an invention that changed the world.
Google is honoring Lamarr's contributions with a doodle on its homepage today, which would have been her 101st birthday. (She died in 2000 at age 86.) Here are 5 things you need to know about what makes her such an icon:
During World War II, Lamarr started inventing ways to stop the Nazis from blocking Allied radio signals. Though her ideas were ahead of their time and couldn't be implemented, the invention was passed on to the Navy and got her posthumously inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame last year.
She worked with her neighbor, a composer named George Anthill, to develop "frequency hopping" based on piano keys. The patent would be the basis for future technologies that make today's world work, but she never made money from it, CBS News reports.
She was born in Austria as Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler, but moved to America and changed her name to get out of a bad relationship with an arms dealer. She became known as the "most beautiful woman in the world" at the time, according to The Huffington Post.
She caused a lot of controversy in the Czech movie Ecstasy, because her character's face is pictured in a close-up while she has an orgasm. Later, she became known as a go-to actress to play seductive characters, something she ended up resenting.
"Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid," she said. She also summed up the problem with being a powerful woman in the dating world. "I must quit marrying men who feel inferior to me. Somewhere there must be a man who could be my husband and not feel inferior. I need a superior inferior man."
Watch the full doodle below:
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
-
Prince Andrew's Business Advisor Accused of Being a "Spy" and Banned From the U.K."We found a way to get the relevant people unnoticed in and out of the house in Windsor."
-
Kate Middleton Allegedly Rejected Idea to Seat Prince Andrew "Behind a Pillar" at Her Christmas Carol Concert"Although very much a family affair... there was no space for Uncle Andy."
-
32 Celebrities Who Got Their Start on Reality TVBelieve it or not.
-
Eva Mendes and Ryan Gosling Introduce the "Newest Member" of Their Family"I'm crazy about her and excited to share life."
-
Jennifer Garner Is Reportedly Ready to Cut Ties With Jennifer Lopez, Unless Their Kids Are Involved"Her friends feel she shouldn't have allowed herself to get so involved."
-
Hailey Bieber Shares Her First Photo of Baby Son Jack Blues Since Giving Birth—See the Sweet ShotSo freaking cute.
-
Actors Who Are Nothing Like Their Most Iconic CharactersTalk about awards-worthy, transformative performances.
-
The Question on Everyone's Lips: Did Beyoncé Skip the 2024 MTV VMAs?It's been a few years since she last graced the carpet with her presence.
-
Why Isn't Selena Gomez at the 2024 VMAs?Her absence became even more noticeable after her bestie Taylor Swift showed up.
-
Jennifer Lopez Thought Ben Affleck Was a "Changed Man" But Being Married to Him Was "Impossible""Friends think he is selfish, sullen, impossible to please most of the time and negative."
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
