Hedy Lamarr's Double Life: Hollywood Legend and Brilliant Inventor
By Laurie Wallmark
The Story
A glamorous Hollywood movie star secretly spends her nights inventing — and during World War Two, she develops a groundbreaking communications system the military doesn't take seriously, at first, because of who she is.
Why It's Special
For the kid who wants to be told, again and again, that people can be more than one thing — this is proof, in the shape of a movie star with a workshop.
- Big idea: Brilliance can hide in plain sight, and being underestimated doesn't make you wrong.
- Vibes: Glamorous, inventive, quietly defiant.
Perfect For Kids Who
- are curious about how everyday inventions actually work
- enjoy stories about real women in science and history
- like characters who have a secret side
- are working on believing they can be more than one thing
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What problem was Hedy Lamarr trying to solve when she invented her communications system during World War Two?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Hedy felt when people saw her only as a movie star and not as an inventor?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever felt like people only noticed one thing about you, when there was more underneath?
- Imagination: If you had a secret talent like Hedy's inventing, what would you want to create?
- Bigger picture: Why do you think it took a long time for people to recognize Hedy Lamarr's invention as important?
