She theorized that varying radio frequencies at irregular intervals would prevent interception or jamming of transmissions, thereby creating an innovative communication system. Lamarr shared her concept for utilizing “frequency hopping” with the U.S. Navy and codeveloped a patent in 1941.

Frequency hopping played a significant role in WWII and was eventually used to develop Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS, and we have American actor Hedy Lamarr to thank for this. Her discoveries were a precursor to later developments in wireless networks - and WiFi - we have come to know and rely on today.

Lamarr and Antheil's frequency hopping reduced the risk of detection or jamming of radio-controlled torpedoes. Multiple radio frequencies were used to broadcast a radio signal, switching frequencies at split-second intervals in a seemingly random manner that would sound like mere noise to anyone listening.

Hedy Lamarr came up with an idea for tracking torpedoes that used a method that rapidly switched the transmitted frequencies (referred to as ‘frequency hopping’) such that the enemy wouldn’t be able to pick up and interfere with the transmission.