The article comes close but does not mention one interesting piece of trivia. The frequency hopping device was made using (and inspired by) a pianoroll for an autopiano. An instrument that Lamarr and her collaborator, composer Antheil would have been familiar with. In their scheme of things, the torpedo and the sub would play the same "song" and jump frequencies in sync. Their patent lay ignored till fairly recently
EDIT: here is an Atlantic article that has more detail:
I'm quite surprised that they ignored her past - she was married to Friedrich Mandl, an arms manufacturer. She learned about military technology from his friends.
So obvious option - that historians considers - is that she basically patented ideas she obtained/discussed during her marriage. Missing details are also behind the reason why she could not reproduce some of them.
I sort of get the "quips that don't add materially to the discussion get all the downvotes" sentiment, but a well executed, topically relevant Mel Brooks joke in the gray? On a Sunday? We're very puzzled.
EDIT: here is an Atlantic article that has more detail:
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2010/09/celebr...