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Chapter 04 of 5

The Patent Ignored

The military's dismissal of a 'glamour girl's' genius.

  1. The Submission

    Patent 2,292,387

    In August 1942, Hedy Lamarr and George Antheil officially received a patent for their 'Secret Communication System.' It was designed to make torpedoes unjammable.

  2. Patriotic Intent

    A Gift to the Nation

    Hedy didn't want money for her invention. She handed the rights over to the U.S. Navy for free, hoping to help defeat the Axis powers.

  3. Initial Reception

    The Boardroom Cold

    The National Inventors Council initially praised the concept, but the Navy’s top brass remained deeply skeptical. They struggled to see past Hedy's screen persona.

17 more cards in this chapter

Could you answer this?

What did the U.S. government suggest Hedy Lamarr do to support the war effort instead of developing weapons?

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📡 Hedy Lamarr: More Than a Pretty Face

  1. 01The Golden CageEscape from a high-stakes marriage to an arms dealer.
  2. 02The MGM SilhouetteStardom in Hollywood and the frustration of being a muse.
  3. 03The Secret LaboratoryCollaborating with George Antheil on wartime technology.
  4. 04The Patent IgnoredThe military's dismissal of a 'glamour girl's' genius.
  5. 05The Invisible LegacyLate-life vindication as the mother of modern wireless tech.