### Forgotten Inventors: Highlighting Lesser-Known Contributions
#### Hedy Lamarr
**Contribution:** Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum Technology
Hedy Lamarr, an Austrian-American actress, was more than just a Hollywood starlet; she was also a brilliant inventor. During World War II, Lamarr co-invented a frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology intended to make radio-guided torpedoes harder for enemies to detect and jam. Her invention laid the groundwork for modern wireless communication technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS. Despite her significant contributions, Lamarr’s scientific achievements were largely unrecognized during her lifetime.
#### Mary Anderson
**Contribution:** Windshield Wipers
Mary Anderson, an American inventor, is credited with inventing the first functional windshield wiper. In 1903, she noticed that drivers had to open their car windows in poor weather to see, leading her to design a device to improve visibility and safety. Anderson’s invention consisted of a swinging arm with a rubber blade, operated manually from inside the vehicle. Although her initial patent expired without financial gain, her concept eventually became a standard feature in automobiles, revolutionizing road safety in inclement weather.
These stories of Hedy Lamarr and Mary Anderson highlight the innovative spirit and impactful contributions of forgotten inventors whose work continues to shape our world today.
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