If it wasn’t for Hedy Lamarr, we wouldn’t have Wi-Fi

30 years later, the writer Mark Twain patented (under his real name, Samuel L Clemens) an adjustable strap for "vests, pantaloons and other garments requiring straps". And in 1914, the early Hollywood star Florence Lawrence invented an "auto-signalling arm" for cars – a precursor of today's indicators.