"Think, Big!. Anyway!"- Hedy LaMarr

1.6K followers

6 years ago

On, this, Memorial Day, of 2018, we, in the United Staes of America, take time to remember, all the many, brave and courageous, people, who died to keep us as a free nation...a characteristic, which sets us off, from the rest of the world.

We remember our soldiers, man and woman, who have died in battle, perhaps, forgetting that others, fought their own person battles, while assisting in the war efforts.

Hedy LaMarr, is just one of those people, and,... perhaps, without her existence, not one of, us would be sitting in front of a computer, let alone, be a member of WA.

What does Hedy LaMarr have to do with computers? Everything, it seems!!!

The other evening, American Masters, aired a program, that highlights, successful individuals, and Hedy LaMarr, was fascinating! More than a"pretty face". Immediately following, I started binge listening to the 10X YouTube, Tony had suggested. Forgive me for not having the name or link, but it's a wealth of grand information. I couldn't help to think about all I was listening, to, and seeing where Hedy LaMarr had so many of these fantastic qualities, that make a successful individual.

Hedy LaMarr, was born in Vienna, Austria, November 9, 1914. Her family were prominent Jews, within the community. Her early days, were spent, with operas, education, arts, ...finer things of life. She attended a private school, and her favorite subject, was chemistry. Very close with her father, who inspired her, inventive mind, though a banker, he was also naturally interested, in electronics, and how things work. Hedwig, was "on a mission", early in life! She had a "Can do spirit", and "embraced change".

Embracing, change, taking risks, and being dangerous? If, she'd had a yearbook!! At, 16 years old, she focused on an opportunity, and had pictures, taken, for promotion, of yourself, in clothes,...and without. Probably, the most important personal decision, that would impact her future, for better, or worse. She knew she was "Pretty", and began to capitalize on this, which, eventually, seemed to make her, but a commodity, when she arrived in Hollywood.

These, pictures, lead her to starring, in "Estace"an ex-rated movie. Her, family moved to England soon, after this horrendous, embarrassment, right in line with the 1930's, German occupation, of Austria, and the emcampment, of the Jews.

At, 19, 1933, she married, and began her series, of failed relationships. Her, first, in England, Fritz Mandl, older, by 14 years. His occupation? Sold guns to the Germans. Was jealous and boring, to Hedy. Marriage was not her best area of life. In ways, this, marriage, comes back to haunt her.

Her show, stopping looks, caught the attention, of Louis B. Mayer, U.S., movie producer, when he came to Europe, to scout new talent. Do it Now!She took her jewels, and sewed them into her lining of her clothes, and booked, a passage on the same ship, as Mayers, when he returned, to the United States. She had a contract, by the time the ship docked, in New York.

Once, in Hollywood, Hedy, began to "change from her own true self", for the purposes of being accepted. Part of her contract with Mayer, included, denial of her Jewish family roots, which she truly held dear, in her heart. Compromising of values...trouble ahead.

Hedy Lamarr, loved to solve mysteries! At, 5 years old, she had completely disassembled her music box, to see how it worked, and then reassembled, back to working order! "Enfant Horrible", she was known as, affectionately.

When Hedy, wasn't filming, she was inventing! She had many friends. where she was "reaching up in relationships". Her friends, included, John F Kennedy, before his presidency, and Howard Hughes. Her most important relationship, as we are concerned, has to do with her work with George Anthiel, "The Badboy Musician", a piano player, which added to his knowledge of sound and frequencies.

George's, younger brother, was the first American casuality, of WWII. Flying in a private plane, his brother was shot down, and this fueled, George's anger! Hedy, and George, deeply hated Hitler, and wanted to do anything they could to help. Commitment to a group!

What did she have to do with today's communications? While, World World II, began to grow, there was a bombing of a ship, carrying children, that was torpedoed, by the Germans, killing them all. Add, the loss of George's brother, and here was a passion to succeed, at all costs.

Hedy was concerned that the German's were jamming communication signals, and ships, were able to predict, and correct torpedo hit. By, taking a Philco Magic box, for the first wireless remote, she determined that, with "skip frenquencies", which I do undestand, but do not feel, needs further explanation, at this time, would prohibit the German's from jamming the frequencies, any further. Anthiel, and she developed the patent, for this technology.

After, their patent, Hedy wanted to leave Hollywood, and go work in Washington, D.C., for a young inventors mentorship. She was denied. She workrd, strenuous hours, and then met "Dr, Feel Good". She began, her "vitamins", in reality, high doses of methamphedamine. She continued for 20years, until the Doc lost his license.

Wi-fi, Bluetooth, cellphones...all rely on this technology that stemmed from Hedy LaMarr's idea!

Her patent was later confiscated, by the Navy, who had laughed at the idea, only to use it with the Cuban Missle Crisis. She was considered, and "Alien", as yet, not an American citizen. and some, thought her a spy. She had also, been accused of stealing this idea from her first husband. "I don't care what others say about me."...My father, always, said, "Just be yourself!"

Hedy LaMarr never received a dime for technology which, had she known, would have made her billions...."I'm a good artist, but a very, bad businesswoman."

She was a "Big Thinker!". Built the ski-resort of Aspen, created to mirror, Vienna, her home. lost this in a divorce, as well...fodder for another story.

Sadly, after, continuous, tries, she never gained any respect from Hollywood. She continued to get sexy rules, when she really wanted to be taken seriously, as a character actor. With drug, addiction, and the onset of plastic surgeries, each progressively, worse, she went into reclusiveness, not even wanting her family to see her.

She was,finally recognized, in 1990 for her technology, by Forbes magazine, for her efforts.She received a plaque, and stated, "It's about time!" Her son, accepted for her.

In her last interview, of 1985, Hedy LaMarr's, parting words...

"People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them, anyway.

If you do good, people will accuse you of alternative motives. Do good, anyway.

The biggest people, with the biggest ideas, can be shot down by the smallest people, with the smallest minds. Think big , anyway!

What you spend time building, can be destroyed, overnight. Build, anyway.

Give the world the best you've got, and get kicked in the teeth. Give the world the best you've got, anyway."

Thank, you Hedwig Kiesler, for all you brought to the world,... beauty, intelligence, and spirit!

Success may have eluded you, most of your life, but now, that early mistake that defined, and marred you, may finally be put in it's rightful place. The past! Let us, in the future, when we think of Hedy LaMarr, think thoughts of deep appreciation, for her "Forward-thinking mind!", and how we use her "Gift" everyday. She gave us our workplace!!

It's great to be back here with WA!

I'm writing this, also, in memory of my Mom, my greatest inspration, om her birthday! Thank, You, Mom, for all the successful traits, you tried, to instill in me....still work in progress.

Hope all, had a peaceful, Memorial Day or another glorious Monday.

Barb