Customer Reviews

Spread Spectrum: Hedy Lamarr and the mobile phone

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
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If you're looking for a biography of Hedy Lamarr, there may be better but this is good. If you're looking for a biography of George Antheil, there may be better but this is good. If you're looking for the history of radio with an emphasis on spread spectrum, this is very good. And if you're looking for a book that weaves all three together you've come to exactly the right place.

This book is well written, with only the occasional editorial nit to pick. The style is casual and entertaining. The technology discussions are satisfying without being intimidating. Even the technologically unsophisticated will be able to understand the descriptions in this book. A great book about fascinating people and a fascinating technology.

Since I am the person who got Hedy Lamarr world fame in 1995 after I nominated her for the Electronic Pioneer Award for her inventing by patent in 1941 what is now evolved into what is known as 'Wi-Fi'broadband as well as security for Mobile Phones I think I am in a position to review it. (he does give me credit)

It is an excellent 275 page technical and human story of all the steps and people who were involved with getting that seminal patent for 'frequency hopping' radio security.

I only take issue with his tying her work to just 'mobile phones' and the CDMA security that was in it. In fact the 'unlicensed' - not just 'secure' - characteristics that flowed from her work was, more world revolutionary. For it permitted people with technologies such as Wi-Fi to be used NOT just pay-per-minute but also broadband internet between any two radios within range of each other. From across a room, to 20, 50 miles away with NO per minute charge.

It is a little heavy duty for the technologically challenged, but it does explain just how 'things wireless work' for those, such as computer students who are vague about digital radio.

Well worth reading by any intelligent person.

Hedy Lamarr continues to amaze with her beauty, acting abililty, and perhaps her most importnt contribution as an inventor.