How Hedy Lamarr Invented Early Wireless Technology Unhappy being pigeonholed due to her looks, the “most beautiful woman in the world" set out to develop a secret communication system that would take down Nazi submarines.

A lonely immigrant from Austria slips out of her stage clothes and kicks off her heels. Carefully removing her movie makeup, she's dissatisfied that she's been overlooked for more significant roles. Instead of throwing a pity party, however, she heads determinedly for her drafting table, a place where she has previously invented an improved traffic stoplight.

This is where she'll prove to the world that she's more than a pretty face.

This is the real-life story of Hedy Lamarr, Hollywood actress turned tech hero. An inventor whose contributions helped develop a system used in Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi.

She had a knack for designing problem-solving technologies. Transforming the drawing room in her house into an innovation studio with a drafting table and the necessary tools Lamarr invented an aid to help people with limited mobility get in and out of the bath. She also invented a fluorescent dog collar and a bouillon cube* that would dissolve to turn water into soda.

Her best-known success was a passion project that still has applications today. The “secret communication system" she developed with composer George Antheil, a neighbor and friend, was the precursor to today's top wireless technologies. Together, they developed a radio communication system based on the 88 piano keys. It was a success, and the duo received a patent for their work in 1942. Unfortunately, the U. S. Navy ignored their technological feat for another 20 years.

Late, the system became the precursor to modern wireless technologies. Their work remained unrecognized until 1997, when the Electronic Frontier Foundation acknowledged Lamarr and Antheil. When Lamarr heard the EFF was giving her an award, her first words were, 'Well, it's about time.'

Glossary: *bouillon cube- A cube of evaporated seasoned meat extract

1-1: Based on the passage, which of these is most likely to be true about Hedy?
(1 Point)

A. Her favourite pastime was to design inventions.

B. She never received recognition for her inventions.

C. She had secretly worked for the American government.

D. Her inventions were made only through her own efforts.
2.The 'secret communication system', developed by Hedy and George was.
(1 Point)

A. a project Hedy was paid to do

B. immediately put into use by the military

C. outdated within twenty years of its discovery

D. a forerunner of today's communication systems
3.Which of these is mentioned in the passage?
(1 Point)

A. how the 'secret communication system' works

B. whether the war effort was successful or not

C. which movies Hedy has acted in

D. where Hedy was originally from
4.Well, it's about time. This line means that
(1 Point)

A. it was too soon to receive the award

B. the award should have been given long ago

C. the award had been given for her first invention

D. it was not the most important award in her lifetime
5.One of the reasons why Hedy became an inventor was because .
(1 Point)

A. she was not happy with her looks

B. she wanted to contribute to the war

C. she wanted to show that she had other talents

D. she was not passionate about her acting career
6.Which of these could be a suitable title for the passage?Immersive Reader
(1 Point)

A. The Real War Heroine

B. Hollywood’s ‘Star’ innovator

C. The Prettiest American Actress

D. Scientist From the Music World