Book Discussion: The Only Woman in the Room

Event Details

Marie Benedict’s work of historical fiction, The Only Woman in the Room, tells the life story of Hedy Lamarr, famed actress of the 1930s and 1940s. This 2019 novel rewrites Lamarr’s legacy by focusing on her path towards inventing a frequency-hopping radio technology that anticipates wi-fi. At the beginning of World War II, she and composer George Antheil developed a radio guidance system for Allied torpedoes that used spread spectrum and frequency hopping technology to defeat the threat of jamming. Although the US Navy did not adopt the technology until the 1960s, the principles of their work are incorporated into today's Bluetooth and GPS technology. Author Benedict uses the political machinations of WWII and Hedy’s experiences to explore performativity, guilt, and sexism. Copies of the book are available at the front desk.

Event Type(s): Books & Reading

Age Group(s): Adult, Seniors

D. Gallucci

(631) 399-1511 ext. 240

dgallucci@communitylibrary.org

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