….by Karna Small Bodman 

Today I want to tell you the story of a brilliant scientist who, for decades, was recognized only for her beauty, not her intellect. But  first I want to let you know that one of our own talented Rogues, August Thomas, author of a terrific debut thriller, Liar’s Candle (get it here ) is taking a break from writing articles for us. She offers this note:  “I’m bowing out of the blog, at least for a while, as I work on a new project.” Good luck August – hope to have you back soon! 


Now a bit of history about an incredible woman, underestimated and “under-appreciated” for decades…a woman who was known only for her looks. As for her intellect, people would pay no attention. And yet her  inventions gave us technology that we all use today. Some of this woman’s ideas inspired my very first thriller, Checkmate, about a female scientist with a new invention that, at least initially, no one would take seriously. 

The true story begins back in Austria in the 1930’s.  Known as Hedwig Kiesler, she married the wealthy industrialist, Friedrich Mandl. Reputed to be a fervent fascist, he endeavored to contact several Nazis including Hermann Goring in an effort to sell his wares to Germany.  He had many dinners at his spacious “palace” and often included his beautiful young wife.  As she was always the only woman in the room, the men would admire her, but otherwise pay no attention as she sat quietly absorbing the conversation about munitions, torpedoes and guidance systems. After all, there was a lot of planning and production going on at Mandl’s famous factory along with Nazi war plans that were discussed at these events.

Friedrich Mandl’s munitions factory

It turns out that she didn’t like the arms dealers. She came to truly dislike her husband too. But he kept a close eye on her, or had the servants track her activities.  So she devised a plan where she drugged the maid, escaped the palace, made her way first to Paris and eventually to this country.

As events of World War II claimed more lives, she watched as the Nazis used their guidance systems to target  the American navy; and she was completely distraught when she learned about the sinking of the ship Benares that was evacuating 90 British children to hoped-for safety in the United States.  Of the 90 little ones, only 8 were rescued by a passing ship.

So horrified by these attacks, she got to work on a number of ideas and began a collaboration with well known concert pianist and friend, George Antheil.  

She  told him that the Nazis were obviously able to decipher the frequencies our ships were using to communicate, thus locating and targeting our vessels.  She had come up with a new system of communications – using “unjammable” frequencies- her plan was for them to switch back and forth so quickly, the enemy would never be able to track them. 

In this book, which hit The New York Times Bestseller list just last week, the author asks, “Does this history reflect the decades old marginalization of women’s contributions? Are there still many misconceptions about women’s work and ideas?” You bet — although, to be fair, many talented women are now – finally – being given their due in industry, politics, and Hollywood, though we still have a long way to go.

Now, would you like to tell us about women you know or have read about who were under-estimated or “under-appreciated” for their efforts? Leave a comment here or on our Facebook page (see the icon at the upper left)….and thanks for visiting us here on Rogue Women Writers.

…Submitted by Karna Small Bodman