Hedy's Folly (29 page)

U.S. torpedoes were plagued with accuracy problems until late in the war. In 1942, 60 percent were duds.
(illustration credit i1.19)

Despite its torpedo problems, the U.S. Navy rejected Hedy and George’s guidance system—too bulky, the navy brass said.
(illustration credit i1.20)

Hedy volunteered weekly at the Hollywood Canteen. In two weeks on tour in 1942 she sold $25 million in war bonds.
(illustration credit i1.21)

Stars and Stripes
made gentle fun of Hedy’s invention, but within a decade it became basic military technology.
(illustration credit i1.22)

Today Hedy’s invention serves millions through GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS satellites, Bluetooth, cell-phone, and digital wireless systems.
(illustration credit i1.23)

Hedy (here at forty-six with her son and daughter, Anthony and Denise Loder) finally received recognition for her fundamental invention in 1997.
(illustration credit i1.24)