Tag Archives: Bluetooth

Can Christmas Lights Slow Down Wi-Fi Speed?

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No. Lights of the christmas tree interfering with The Force, not likely.

Well, OK, if all the people in the united states gathered into one state, the gravitational effects of all those bodies in one place would be detectable by the ultra sensitive GRACE satellite system. And, any electronic device that is running, including light bulbs or just wires carrying alternating current, put EMF out into the air, and potentially, this energy could interfere with other EMF energy such as what your wifi uses.

Overall if your house is full of electronic devices that are running, including multiple wireless/bluetooth transmission systems, then you can have interference. But Christmas lights would be a very small contribution.

Christmas trees, however, do attract electronic devices. Don’t believe me? Put out a Christmas tree. On the morning of December 25th, there will be electronic devices, wrapped in festive paper, gathered around the base of the tree. So, in directly, I suppose there could be an effect…

The only reason I’m mentioning this at all is because it seems to be a question being asked this year. Like this:

Screen Shot 2015-12-03 at 8.36.02 AM

Part of the War on Christmas, I assume.

Hedy Lamarr

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Just a note to celebrate the life and times of Hedy Lamarr, who died on this day, 2000, at the age of 85.

Lamarr had a very interesting career that involved major acting accomplishments, milestone acting events, and direct involvement in the invention of the technology that now forms the basis of WiFi, BlueTooth and other similar modes of communication between electronic devices.

The story of Lemarr’s life is complicated and understanding that story is made even more difficult because of the way it has been told in the past, with multiple versions of multiple events told by biographers (perhaps including herself) who were not entirely honest. But there is one story I would love to know more about. (For that, I know, I just need to read her autobiography, Ecstasy and Me My Life as a Woman, and someday I may!) When Lamarr lived in Europe, she attended social events that were visited by the likes of Hitler and Mussolini. Lamarr’s evil husband was working with them. Because of that connection, Lemarr was exposed to conversations about science and technology vis-a-vis the military. This piqued her interest in such topics. Later, Lamarr escaped that situation and it was after that she invented a technology to be used in the war against the very fascists she was forced by circumstance to rub elbows with.

downloadLamarr invented a few other things as well, including an improved traffic light.

Lemarr’s looks, both how she looks and how she, well, looks, are iconic. But you may not know that a face some of you have been staring at for years, if you happen to use a certain computer graphics product, is hers.

catwoman-anne-hathawayAlso, Catwoman as played by Anne Hathaway, is based on Lamarr.

A few choice quotes from Lamarr:

“Any girl can be glamorous. All you have to do is stand still and look stupid.”

“Hope & curiosity about the future seemed better than guarantees. The unknown was always so attractive to me…and still is.”

“I have never seen a wrestling match or prize fight, and I don’t want to. When I find out a man is interested in these sports, I drop him.”

Anyway, if you are reading this blog post on a device connected to the Internet via a wireless connection, take a moment to thank Ms. Lamarr and her colleagues.