Hedy Lamarr: Hollywood Star and Scientific Pioneer Honored with Lunar Crater
In recognition of her notable contributions to both the arts and sciences, a tribute will be paid to Hedy Lamarr with a lunar crater named in her honor. This tribute, on the occasion of the one-hundred and tenth anniversary of her birth, symbolizes the convergence of her dual legacies and cements her place among the great minds who have shaped our world.
The Hedy Lamarr Crater on the Moon will serve as a lasting reminder of her brilliance, creativity, and indomitable spirit.
Lamarr Crater measures 35 kilometers in diameter, and is located about 250 kilometers from the edge of the Sea of Serenity within a group of craters named for the Danish astronomer and inventor Ole Christensen Rømer, who first determined the speed of light and also devised the modern thermometer with fixed points between boiling and freezing points of water.
Early Life and Education
Hedy Lamarr, born Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler on November 9, 1914, in Vienna, Austria, emerged as one of the most captivating and intellectually gifted figures of the twentieth century. Her father, Emil Kiesler, was a successful banker, and her mother, Gertrud Lichtwitz Kiesler, a concert pianist. From an early age, Hedy displayed an innate curiosity and brilliance that set her apart from her peers.
Educated at private schools in Vienna, Hedy’s intellectual prowess was evident. She excelled in various subjects, particularly in the sciences and mathematics, demonstrating a remarkable aptitude for understanding complex concepts. Her parents encouraged her intellectual pursuits, fostering an environment that nurtured her analytical mind.
Rise to Stardom
Despite her academic inclinations, Hedy’s striking beauty could not go unnoticed. In her teenage years, she began to explore acting, studying with the legendary director Max Reinhardt in Berlin. Her breakout role came in the 1933 film “Ecstasy,” a controversial movie that gained international attention. Although her performance was lauded, the film’s provocative content led to her becoming a subject of scandal.
Undeterred, Hedy moved to Paris, where she met MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer, who offered her a contract in Hollywood. Adopting the stage name Hedy Lamarr, she quickly rose to fame in the American film industry. Her exotic looks and undeniable talent earned her roles in major films such as “Algiers” (1938), “Boom Town” (1940), “Comrade X” (1940), and “Samson and Delilah” (1949).
Courtesy CMG Worldwide
Hollywood Success
In Hollywood, Hedy Lamarr became one of the most sought-after actresses of the Golden Age of cinema. Her portrayal of exotic and glamorous characters captivated audiences worldwide. Despite her success on the silver screen, Lamarr was often typecast in roles that emphasized her beauty rather than her intellect, a situation she found frustrating.
Her career was punctuated by memorable performances that showcased her versatility as an actress. In “Algiers,” she played the mysterious Gaby, earning critical acclaim and solidifying her status as a Hollywood icon. Her role opposite Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy in “Boom Town” demonstrated her ability to hold her own among the industry’s leading men.
Scientific Contributions
While her acting career flourished, Hedy Lamarr’s intellectual pursuits continued unabated. During World War II, she became increasingly involved in scientific endeavors, driven by a desire to contribute to the war effort.
Alongside the autodidact American author, inventor and composer Georg Johann Carl Antheil, Lamarr co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum communication system, which was designed to make radio-controlled torpedoes harder for enemies to detect or jam.
Antheil (as George Antheil) and Lamarr (as Hedy Kiesler Markey) received U.S. Patent 2292387A for their “Secret Communication System” on 11 August 1942.
This groundbreaking invention was a precursor to modern wireless communication technologies, including Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Despite its significance, the invention was not immediately recognized by the military. It wasn’t until decades later that the importance of their work was fully appreciated, earning Lamarr and Antheil a posthumous induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2014.
Post-War Achievements and Challenges
After the war, Lamarr’s scientific endeavors continued, but she faced numerous challenges. The Hollywood system often undervalued her intellectual contributions, and her pioneering work in communication technology remained largely unacknowledged during her lifetime. Despite these setbacks, Lamarr continued to innovate, experimenting with various inventions, including an improved traffic stoplight and a tablet that would dissolve in water to create a carbonated drink.
Her post-war acting career saw a decline, and she struggled with personal and financial issues. Nonetheless, Lamarr remained undeterred, persistently working on her inventions and advocating for recognition of her scientific contributions.
Legacy and Recognition
In her later years, Lamarr’s contributions to science and technology began to receive the recognition they deserved. She was honored with numerous awards, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation Pioneer Award in 1997. Her story was also chronicled in the acclaimed documentary “Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story,” which shed light on her dual legacy as a film star and an inventor.
Hedy Lamarr passed away on January 19, 2000, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy that transcends her Hollywood fame. Her pioneering work in wireless communication laid the groundwork for the technology that defines the modern era, and her contributions to science and technology continue to inspire generations of inventors and innovators.
Citation: Honoring A Pioneer
Hedy Lamarr’s life is a testament to the boundless potential of human ingenuity and the power of intellect and creativity to transcend barriers. From the glittering lights of Hollywood to the cutting-edge world of scientific innovation, Hedy Lamarr’s journey is a remarkable story of a woman who defied expectations and left an indelible mark on history.
As we gaze at the Moon, we are reminded of her enduring legacy and the profound impact she had on both the entertainment industry and the field of wireless communication. Her story continues to inspire, reminding us that true brilliance knows no bounds and that the pursuit of knowledge and innovation is a journey that can take us to the stars.
Designation and Nomenclature
The lunar crater to be named in honor of Hedy Lamarr will bear a dual designation, also recognizing her birth name (Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler). As such, the crater will be officially designated as 3101 Lamarr (Kiesler).
Crater 3101 Lamarr (Kiesler) was previously designated by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) as Rømer A, part of the Rømer crater chain in the northeast quadrant of the Moon. Two distinctive but smaller craters – Rømer C on the southern rim, and an unnamed crater on the northern rim – lie within the bowl of Crater 3101 Lamarr (Kiesler).
The crater is generally visible on the Earth-facing side of the Moon when utilizing a typical consumer-grade telescope.
Designation of Crater 3101 Lamarr (Kiesler) was approved by the general assembly of the International Lunar Geographic Society upon unanimous endorsement in plenary session, without objection, and so designated and adopted on 16 July 2024, with an effective date of 9 November 2024, marking the one-hundred and tenth anniversary of Hedy Lamarr’s birth.
Honoree: Hedy Lamarr (née Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler)
Designation: 3101 Lamarr (Kiesler)
Approval Date: 16 July 2024 (UTC)
Effective Date: 9 November 2024
Previous IAU Designation: Rømer A
IAU/USGS Feature ID: 12652
Crater Catalogue ID: S001644N06822R02615H02203Y2010S
Latitude: 28.1026 °
Longitude: 37.1311 °
Diameter: 34.818573 kilometers
Region: Rømer Highlands
Lunar QuickMap URL: https://bit.ly/3WbYEUZ
This document was submitted for final review and approval on 16 July 2024.
