Hedy Lamarr and a Secret Communication System (Inventions and Discovery)

Description

Discover the brilliant life of Hedy Lamarr in this full-color graphic novel. This talented film actress became an influential scientist with her invention of a secret radio system in the early 1940s, a building block of today's wireless communications. With comic book-style illustrations and short, engaging sentences, this biography will inspire, entertain, and inform young readers about an individual who made a significant contribution to society. This must-have graphic novel includes a bibliography, extended reading list, glossary, and further Internet sources.

Trina Robbins grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Her mother, a second-grade schoolteacher, taught her to read at age four. She says, "It is the greatest gift anyone has ever given to me." Robbins turned her love of books into a lifelong career. For more than 30 years, she has been writing graphic novels and children's books. Her work includes comics such as Wonder Woman and Powerpuff Girls, as well as GoGirl!, her own graphic novel series for girls. Cynthia Martin has worked in comics and animation since 1983. Her credits include Star Wars, Spider-Man, and Wonder Woman for Marvel Comics and DC Comics, in addition to work as a storyboard artist for Sony Children's Entertainment and the Krislin Company. Cynthia's recent projects include an extensive series of graphic novels for Capstone Press and two issues of Blue Beetle for DC Comics. She also illustrated the book Alley of Shadows, published by Stone Arch Books.

In 1937 Hedwig Keisler, a famous European actress, was trapped. She was married to a man who produced weapons used by the Nazis. Hedwig (Hedy) hated the Nazis' cruelty and her husband. She wanted nothing more than to escape both, and in the back of her mind she wanted to find a way to stop the Nazis. After a stealthy escape from Austria, she ended up in Switzerland, then London, and finally Hollywood. Once there, her stage name was changed to Lamarr and she became a top American movie star. At a Hollywood party, Hedy met George Anthiel, a musician. The two played piano together and Hedy was struck with an idea that she thought would help defeat the Nazis. Though they had a great idea which they patented, it was not put to practical use until the 1950s and 60s. Today Hedy's invention is called "spread spectrum" and is used in cell phones, wireless Internet, satellite guided missiles, and more. This nonfiction book is part of the Capstone Graphic Library and is a graphic novel. This format will not appeal to all, but children who are into brightly colored, action-packed graphic novels and/or video games may find this book more their style and much to their benefit.-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"