Hedy Lamarr and a Secret Communication System

by Trina Robbins, Cynthia Martin (Illustrator)

Overview

Hedy Lamarr and a Secret Communication System tells the story of rich, beautiful actress Hedy Lamarr, who invented a technology that still affects communication systems today. The wife of a wealthy German weapons manufacturer, Hedy took a great risk and escaped Nazi Germany just before the outbreak of World War II. In dramatic, graphic novel format, this book tells how she came to invent a secret communication system to use against the Nazis, which is still useful today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780736864794
Publisher:	Capstone
Publication date:	09/01/2006
Series:	Graphic Library: Inventions and Discovery Series
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.31(d)
Lexile:	GN660L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

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.

Table of Contents

Prisoner of the Nazis — Fight to freedom — A secret communication system — Recognition at last.

Editorial Reviews

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.

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