Celebrities having an interest in the hard sciences

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The discussion highlights various celebrities with unexpected interests in science, including Tom Hanks, Brian May, and Mayim Bialik, who hold advanced degrees in scientific fields. Alan Alda's initiative to engage students with science through competitions is noted, as well as Hedy Lamarr's invention of spread spectrum technology, which is foundational for modern communications. The conversation also touches on the varying degrees of commitment to science among celebrities, with some merely showing interest while others actively contribute to research. John Urschel, a professional athlete, is mentioned for pursuing a PhD in mathematics, illustrating the diversity of scientific engagement among public figures. Overall, the thread emphasizes the surprising connections between celebrity culture and scientific pursuits.
  • #31
Vanadium 50 said:
Lamarr was Austrian, and during WW2 the US was at war with Austria. It's not surprising. By the way, this invention is also used in Wifi.

She was also from a Jewish family which should more or less automatically have meant this was not an issue. There were plenty of German and Austrian Jews who fought on the allied side during WWII and many of them had access to classified information, not to mention all the Jewish scientists who did not seem to have much trouble getting the necessary security clearance to work on very sensitive projects.

Hence, I agree with Statguy2000: the fact that she was Austrian can't have been the reason.
 
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