Margaret Porter will return to Gibson’s Bookstore on Thursday with a new novel of historical fiction, Beautiful Invention, surrounding Hedy Lamarr; publicly famous for her Silver Screen appearances, quietly revered for her military technology inventions (spread spectrum technology, the gateway to wi-fi and Bluetooth).
Hedy Kiesler, Austrian actress of Jewish heritage, scandalizes Europe with her nudity in the art film Ecstasy. Her hasty marriage to a wealthy munitions merchant disintegrates as he grows increasingly controlling and possessive. Even worse – her discovery that he supplies deadly weapons to Hitler’s regime.
She flees her husband and homeland for Hollywood, where Louis B. Mayer transforms her into Hedy Lamarr, an icon of exotic glamour. Professional success clashes with her personal life as marriage and motherhood compete with the demands of studio and stardom.
Roused to action by the atrocities of World War II, Hedy secretly invents a new technology intended for her adopted country’s defense – and unexpectedly changes the world.
Porter will speak at Gibson’s at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The event is free and open to the public.
Gibson’s Bookstore
