Untold Legends the BBC podcast that gives legendary status to those who deserve it, and tells their story, is back…
The second series – broadcast on the BBC World Service – will delve into the story of Hedy Lamarr, a Jewish refugee who escaped the Nazis to become a Hollywood star. However, in her lifetime, she didn’t receive proper recognition for her role as an inventor.
While known for starring in dozens of films and gracing the covers of Hollywood magazines, few people knew Hedy was also a gifted inventor. In fact, one of the technologies she co-invented laid a key foundation for future communication systems, including GPS, Bluetooth and WiFi.
Presented by inventor and model Andini, Untold Legends: Hedy Lamarr tells the story of a brilliant mind forever confined to the expectations society had of her beauty. It also features Hollywood actress AnnaSophia Robb; expert from Microsoft, Ranveer Chandra; and one of Hedy’s Lamarr’s daughters.
Across eight episodes, the new run of episodes will track Lamarr’s epic life, from her teenage appearance in a movie considered so sexual it was banned in several countries, to her daring dash from Vienna to London to escape Nazi oppression. Then from her canny pursuit of Louis B. Mayer and a break into Hollywood movies, to the inventions she created in her spare time while on set.
However, it was during World War Two that Lamarr came up with her biggest breakthrough idea. Horrified by the German sinking of supply and passenger ships in the north Atlantic, 28-year-old Lamarr helped develop “frequency hopping”, an invention that is now recognised as fundamental for secure communications.
Podcast host Andini:
“Hedy Lamarr was not only an actress, she was a visionary whose invention helped shape the modern world. In this podcast, we peel back the Hollywood glamour to reveal the genius behind the beauty, and explore her fascinating story and her legacy. I had an incredible time visiting Hedy’s hometown of Vienna and looking through museum archives to learn more about her. As a woman who also has one foot in film and another in invention, I am honoured to help share her story with the world.”
Untold Legends is a co-production between BBC World Service, BBC Radio 5 Live, and BBC Sounds.
