Inventions
During Hedy Lamarr’s time there were many great inventions and new technology’s being discovered, but not too many were from women. A few new technology’s were: televisions, microwaves, polygraphs, robots, air conditioners, refrigerators, LCD televisions, digital pens, radar, helicopters, photocopiers, satellites, and CD players (Woodford, 2015). However, all of those technologies were invented by men. During Lamarr’s time, a woman Maria Telkes created the first solar-powered house in 1930 which lead way for people years after to continue to use her ideas and technology to improve it (Woodford, 2015). In 1966 Stephanie Kwolek patent a super strong plastic called Kevlar. Kwolek used chemistry to produce Kevlar, and it used to give added strengths, now used for bulletproof vests, and other body armor. In 1981 Patricia Bath developed laser eye surgery for removing cataracts which is still being used, along side of newer medical advances (Woodford, 2015).
During the Hedy Lamarr’s years of inventing, it was not common for women to get acknowledge for their work with technology. During the 1940s when Hedy Lamarr invented the frequency hopping, it was the same time that Japan attacked the United States in Pearl harbor. It was a time of sadness with boys being drafted as well as great patriotism. Other technologies that were invented during this time ranged from the computer, atomic bombs, guided missiles, and other military weapons.
Tools and Equipment
Since men were fighting in the war and women were working in all types of the work force including machinery and industrial. Women were having to take off their aprons and begin working with steal and heavy machinery. Women accounted for one-third of the workers who were building B-29 bombers (American Machinist, 2000). Women were also building grinders, mills and lathes to help with wartime production. Women were also learning how to weld together different war supplies but also aircrafts, which lead welding apparel and equipment being advertised strictly for women instead of men (Smith, 2005).
