Hedy Lamarr

At this particular moment in time, there are literally scores of things that I could write about – some that I’d really like to, and some that might be helpful to, just to get it all out of my head.

So, I’ll write a book review.

I preface this by saying that biographies are not my usual reading genre, but historical fiction is my most often-read. This falls someplace in between. It came very highly recommended, and Hedy Lamarr had a fascinating life, so I dove in.

I had some problems with the story. While I realize that the book focused on a particular period of her life, I felt that the first half+ of the book focused more on the history of Austria prior to the 1938 Nazi invasion/takeover than it did on Hedy. It was more history than I needed to understand her situation.

The biographical elements picked up once she came to Hollywood, where we got to know her better through her role as a screen star, a budding inventor, and her relationships. She developed the technology known as frequency-hopping to be applied to the accuracy and success of torpedoes hitting their targets in the war (and which now ensure the security of our cell phones.). Her accomplishment was buried because she was a woman.

However, since this is written in first person, I wanted to feel more for Hedy. Her life was often very painful, but the writing lacked emotion, and Hedy just seemed too distant. Written in third person, I might have felt differently. In terms of other-character development, it was lacking because of this POV. In the end, I wanted to know Hedy better – yes, her emotional experience, but also her brilliance in her accomplishments – she did so much more, and I don’t feel I really got either. 2.75 stars.

The saying is true … so many books, so little time, but in this case, I’m referring to books published by friends and which all deserve a shout-out. However, one dilemma is who do I write about in what order, so no one feels slighted. The other dilemma is simply finding time when I’m struggling to find time to keep up with blogging at all. Now I know that each of these people will assure me that whenever – and IF ever – I get to writing about their book, they are fine with it. But I really do want to bring some good books to your attention.

That said, I’m introducing you to a wonderful picture book for older children, written by a very dear friend of mine who just happens to be having her book launch in a couple weeks. Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life is written by Laurie Wallmark, and the third she’s published about her passion, and I quote, “dead women in STEM.” What I like so much about this book is that it brings to light a side of a famous figure, Hedy Lamarr, who was known as an actress, but almost completely unknown as an inventor.

Long before some inventions were even a twinkling in anyone’s mind, Hedy had come up with ideas for the 3-color traffic light, a reflective dog collar, a way for people to safely get in and out of the tub, and more. But those were not developed, for Hedy’s real dedication was to inventing the technology known as frequency hopping, a major scientific breakthrough at the time. The modern day application of this technology is what keeps our devices, computers or cell phones, safe from hacking, but Hedy originally designed it as a way to preserve the security of communications during World War II.

So well-written by Laurie and charmingly illustrated by Katy Wu, Hedy Lamarr’s Double Life is enlightening to us all, but also a great inspiration for girls. Hedy’s a great role model who, while she had a full life in one field as an actress, had a strong passion in another and made wonderful achievements in science. Read more at Laurie’s website, or just come to her book launch Sunday afternoon, Feb. 10th, 2-4 p.m., at The Book Garden in Frenchtown.