THANKS to everyone who participated.
Many of you may have heard of Hollywood glamour actress Hedy Lamarr (1914-2000), but did you know she was a rare combination of beauty and covert intelligence?
In the early 1940's, Hedy was inspired to help the US Navy during WorldWar II. She collaborated with George Antheil (1900-1959) to create a remote-controled communication interface, that could control the transmission signals between a receiver and transmitter on a mobile object.
This “Secret Communications System“ (SCS) caused a signal to change frequencies at irreqular intervals. By design, this made the radio signal difficult to intercept or jam.
The intent of SCS was to improve the success rate of radio-controlled munitions, such as the US Navy torpedoes used during World War II.
The technology was referred to as frequency hopping. This design evolved to be known as frequency-hopping spread-spectrum (FHSS). Today, this technology has became the foundation of secured telecommunications such as Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi, fax machines, top-secret military and diplomatic communications, internet, satellite communication systems, wireless communication, and advanced cyber security.
The patent was granted in 1942, Hedy was 27 years old. She donated the patent to the US Navy to help counter the Nazis more successful torpedoes. Unfortunately, the Navy was not interested and filed it. The concept was forgotten for many years. In 1961, the patent expired.
Then in 1962, the technology surfaced when the US Navy appeared to have used a similar technology on their radio-controlled munitions during the Cuban milssle crises.
It took decades for Lamarr & Antheil to receive recognition for their invention. It was in 1997 when Lamarr was recognized by the Electronic Frontier Foundation when they awarded her a Pioneer Award. George Antheil was also awarded, posthumously.
In 2014, Lamarr and Antheil were inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame for their contribution.
In 2019, Lamarr was inducted into the Intellectual Property Hall of Fame for her contribution.
Still, Lamarr and Antheil never received any monetary payment for their invention. We can’t do
anything about that, but we can spread the word about her invention, her talent, and her contribution to secure wireless technology.
Click HERE to view the patent.
Click HERE for a Google Doodle celebrating Hedy Lamarr's 101st Birthday (November 9, 2015)
THANKS to everyone who participated.
Here are copies of the QSL cards received for this HLSE.
Cards_A , Cards_J-K6 , Cards_K7-K8 , Cards_KC-KF
Cards_KG-KX , Cards_N0-N6 , Cards_N6-NS , Cards_NT-W6
Cards_W7-W8 , Cards_WB-WU
Special Event: August 14-28, 2021
Objective: To spotlight the achievement of Hedy Lamarr the Inventor.
Look for us on the following bands: CW , SSB: 80, 40, 20, 10 , look for us on all bands
Digital stations will work all of the available Digital frequencies.
Time: All Day, local time.