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The Computer That Changed the World

March 19, 2025  •  EPISODE 257

How did one computer revolutionize technology as we know it? In this episode of Science LIVE, Roger Billings shares the story of a groundbreaking invention that changed the future of computing. Discover how early computers evolved and how Dr. Billings predicted the end of mainframes—an idea many doubted. But he proved them wrong by creating the first all-in-one personal computer, shaping the way we use technology today!

About DrB

Dr. Roger Billings is a visionary innovator whose work has touched the lives of millions of students and transformed the landscape of education. Widely known as “DrB” to the countless kids who benefit from his groundbreaking Acellus learning system, Dr. Billings has dedicated his life to advancing education through technology. As part of DrB’s lifelong commitment to supporting education, Science LIVE was launched as a way to “give back” by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.


Read more about DrB » 
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program »

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203 Comments

  1. Ava Nelson

    I’ve always found computers so cool

    Reply
  2. Piper

    R51 is one of favorites on the episodes !!!

    Reply
  3. Brayden

    I love R51 energy

    Reply
  4. Nathaniel Reno

    My Mom had this computer. She went to college and studied Mirco computer Specialist. If you are wondering how that can be, my Grand Aunt adopted me. Thanks for this history.

    Reply
  5. Silas puska

    Great video really loved it.

    Reply
  6. Aden Neumyer

    NASA sent maltiple Rover’s in a tiny pod thats good enough for rover’s to fit in, and it Use’s balloon’s/ball thingy’s while landing so it doesent crash and explode And has a parachute and the rover has solar panel’s and flexible leg’s and other stuff. Hydrogin is Very light.

    Reply
  7. Caiden Hiner

    I had no clue computers can do all that.

    Reply
  8. Dwayne Gardner

    How many inventions did Dr.B make???

    Reply
  9. Llondon Bates

    Computer science is so fascinating!

    Reply
  10. Kediell

    I love R-51’s energy!

    Reply
  11. Kennedy

    R-51 is smart like Dr. B, great ideas.

    Reply
  12. Eden Wenzel

    My Gramma says she thought that Word Perfect was a lot better than Word back then.

    Reply
  13. Maya J

    Computers have changed so much over the years.

    Reply
  14. Ajah Phifer

    What prompted mars further discovery?

    Reply
  15. Audrey Loo

    I am so thankful for Acellus and Dr.B after my family has tried so many other curriculumns we’ve found that Acellus is the best! We have referred so many other families to Acellus and it is the #1 school to go to. My family and I are so very thankful for what you have created Dr.B!

    Reply
  16. Deion S

    Love it!

    Reply
  17. Camden Neal

    I love the robots.

    Reply
  18. Bridgette Opsahl

    Absolutely amazing!

    Reply
  19. Kalayla

    Technology is so cool!

    Reply
  20. Lily Ferguson

    The creation of computer really impacted how our lives are today!

    Reply
  21. Colton teates

    bro created the “inter-net” and he has no credit?!

    Reply
  22. Zarah Gammon

    I would love to learn how to build my own computer.

    Reply
  23. Zahavi Gammon

    I love learning about computers and how they evolve.

    Reply
  24. Muhaimin Khattak

    I loved the robot

    Reply
  25. Rumaysa

    I love technology

    Reply
  26. Charlie

    I bet that I’m inspiring some people too because I had some classmates that were almost half way through every course, but there just now starting 6th and I’m past my first and second exam on all my 7th grade courses, and I’m in Stem2 and Learning Excel! and I make so much gold in one day. I really hope that I’m inspiring someone.

    Reply
  27. Jeremiah Wade

    It was interesting to learn about how Dr. Billings had ideas about how to create computers. Also, that he had conversations with Bill Gates about it.

    Reply
  28. Caleb Felker

    Computers are so essential to our lives!

    Reply
  29. Cory D

    I love watching these science lives, they’re always very educational and give me so much information about so many different topics!

    Reply
  30. Grace Goddard

    Loved this live and everything that i learned in it. Computers are amazing!!!

    Reply
  31. Jameson Gleason

    Amazing how easy the conversion is between hydrogen and electric cars, maybe once the weight problem is solved prior electric cars can be converted into hydrogen as a better alternative to lithium ion batteries.

    Reply
  32. Amber Lilly

    It’s so crazy how powerful computers are getting! What would we do without them?

    Reply
  33. Rivers Blackmon

    It is amazing what they are teaching robots…and what the robots are teaching themselves!

    Reply
  34. Gabe Houchin

    It really is crazy how far computers have come since the first ever computer I cannot believe it.

    Reply
  35. Julia Gleason

    The rovers that made it to Mars, the Opp lasting 15 years, and Spirit lasting 6 years is amazing! Lots of data to transmit back and learn from

    Reply
  36. Dustin Mauldin

    I love computers.

    Reply
  37. hayden

    computers are insane

    Reply
  38. Daniel

    Computers are awesome! I’m planning to build one in the near future.

    Reply
  39. Arik Partridge

    Technology is so interesting!

    Reply
  40. Victoria Jimenez

    What would we do without computers

    Reply
  41. Yusuf Saddiq

    Wow rocket science is so cool the planning ahead probably takes a long time

    Reply
  42. Adam

    The computer that changed the world is amazing 👏 🤩

    Reply
  43. jessa

    I love the robot

    Reply
  44. Jabari Holmes

    The growth of computers from when they first were invented to now is a very wonderful thing to witness.

    Reply
  45. Gunnar Bendorf

    Computers are SWEET

    Reply
  46. Kamilah Bello

    I really love hearing and learning about Dr. B’s inventions and hearing his stories.

    Reply
  47. Victoria

    I love how fast computers have progressed through the short amount of time we have had them.

    Reply
  48. Lane Ellis

    It is incredible to see how far computers have come since their inception.

    Reply
  49. Samuel Kosh

    I built a computer with my dad last year.

    Reply
  50. Jada R.S. Pace-Kitchen

    This was an amazing video.

    Reply
  51. Gia

    r 51 was great.

    Reply
  52. Eldad Gedleselase

    Wow Mr. Billings is amazing!! I didn’t know he created a personal computer.

    Reply
  53. Briana

    Loved the lesson today! Snakes are my favorite !

    Reply
  54. Samantha Bonanno

    Technology has come so far.

    Reply
  55. Meghan

    It will be amazing to see how much technology will change our lives in the future.

    Reply
  56. Alexander Bryan

    How much longer do you think it will take robots to develop to be able complete more difficult tasks like Origami or putting a salad together?

    Reply
  57. josh

    Science live is awesome and computers make it the best.

    Reply
  58. Paige

    I love watching your videos.

    Reply
  59. Elijah Baldwin

    Cool video

    Reply
  60. Ruth Baldwin

    I love R-51 he is so funny

    Reply
  61. Elena Mponguili

    Hi Dr. Billings, how did you come up with the idea to create the gold key that the government uses?

    Reply
  62. Cora Lane

    Technology keeps improving so much! It’s so amazing to know how far people have come in our inventions!

    Reply
  63. Caiden Hiner

    Computer are very interesting to learn about

    Reply
  64. Justin Estevez

    That is truly amazing! How do you come up with these ideas?

    Reply
  65. Evan

    Ai has come so far in such a short time. I can’t wait to see where it will go in the future.

    Reply
  66. Leandra Dale

    Technology has came such a long way, It’s crazy to see the new inventions compared to the old.

    Reply
  67. Sarah Siefers

    Its amazing how computers and technology in general has evolved since it was created to what we have today!! And learning about the history of the computors and all of that is super cool! I wonder what technology will look like in another 100 years! I wonder if people 100 yeara ago would be surprised at how far its come.

    Reply
  68. Angel Williams

    Computers have gotten so smart over time and change the world! Especially even more now that technology is so advance. I really like learning about it. Thank you.

    Reply
  69. Lillyian F Kelley

    Love learning about computers ON a computer

    Reply
  70. Killian

    I like the robot.

    Reply
  71. Amilicia Price

    What a neat story! You are so inspiring!

    Reply
  72. Greenlee

    It’s so cool how far technology has come in such a short time!

    Reply
  73. BeckerJames Eisele

    And the part where the robot did a slam dunk!

    Reply
  74. Becker James Eisele

    I liked the mars part

    Reply
  75. Callan Hiner

    Loved learning about The Computer That Changed the World

    Reply
  76. George Varanavage

    I found the internals of the old computer very interesting and I will be doing more of my own research on the subject.

    Reply
  77. Jose

    Computers are so interesting.

    Reply
  78. Tyler Whitsel

    love the live, I love computers, so it was very interesting!

    Reply
  79. Julianna Wallace

    These lives have showed me just how far technology has come, and how fast it develops! Thank you for putting it into a better prospective and letting us appriciate it more <3.

    Reply
  80. Lela Eisele

    Computers are truly amazing

    Reply
  81. Aryan

    What’s next after hydro powered cars, flying cars?

    Reply
  82. Tristen Goodwin

    Thank you for an awesome episode and the opportunity to learn with Acellus!

    Reply
  83. Seraphia

    I am so fascinated by technology

    Reply
  84. Stacia Shinberg

    I love learning about computers this was awesome thank you

    Reply
  85. Rebekah Williams

    Wow thats so cool! Hydrogen powered cars? Do think think it will go further than just cars. Like other kinds of vehicles and engines, or maybe even airplanes?

    Reply
  86. Cam Villafuerte

    The way technology evolves is a fascinating thing to witness, these episodes where you discuss your past experiences with innovation and technological advancements are very inspiring and bring great insight about our world.

    Reply
  87. Brayden

    It’s it crazy how much technology has evolved

    Reply
  88. Layton

    I think that is is really cool the Dr Roger Billings invented the hydrogen car I would love too try to build one some day.

    Reply
  89. Callen

    Technology has came a long ways. My mom uses computers and boards like this at her job

    Reply
  90. Sarah

    Watching from Connecticut

    Reply
  91. cole

    It is incredible how a small computer when they were first created they were big clunky and it’s just incredible how starting at that point we were able to evolve and make stuff that revolutionized the planet to entertainment Medical curity all of that is possible with computers you watch your favorite show on the computer guess what hospitals use to check your vitals computers and what do you think the government uses to protect us you know it computer

    Reply
  92. Emma Ahearn

    I actually love computers

    Reply
  93. Emma Valencia

    so interesting how far technology has come in the span of 40 years. what can we use these machines for as far as advancements?

    Reply
  94. lillian

    I always love to hear about other people’s stories and how they get passed either they learning disabilities or hard classes while balancing other things while doing challenging classes.

    Reply
  95. Kaylie Gilmore

    Technology is so interesting, I can’t wait to see how it will advance in the future. Especially with how much Dr. Billings has already contributed to and created! Great video

    Reply
  96. Malaysia Gray

    Its amazing how far computer technology has come.

    Reply
  97. Braden

    love the live stream

    Reply
  98. Malaysia

    It’s amazing how far computer technology has come.

    Reply
  99. Kelsey Johnson

    I really enjoyed watching this science live video and learning about computers!!

    Reply
  100. Vivienna

    Computers are so important. We can’t leave without them. So happy we have them.

    Reply
  101. Brayden

    I like this video. I am really interested in computers.

    Reply
  102. zoey hubbard

    this is so cool

    Reply
  103. Garrick Hyland

    my previous home schooling wasn’t great at keeping my attention Acellus does a great job and these videos are actually interesting

    Reply
  104. Martyn Swanepoel

    Thank you for those who is part of the Science LIVE
    and making it possible for us to watch.
    I’ve enjoyed Science LIVE ever since!

    What do the baby computer call his Dad
    “DATA”

    Reply
  105. Reuben Bibi

    That’s so cool that you did so much with one computer especially since it was made in the 1970’s

    Reply
  106. Titus Ortiz

    How much does a average computer weigh.

    Reply
  107. Filemon Garcia III

    I really liked the Robert doing origami

    Reply
  108. Alexander Treat

    I enjoyed learning about the Billings computer!

    Reply
  109. Lane Treat

    Thank you for an awesome episode and the opportunity to learn with Acellus!

    Reply
  110. Katie O'Neil

    I thought it was a neat tidbit of info to learn how the twin Mars rovers were named.

    Reply
  111. Kendallyn Rose

    I think that it is very cool that Dr.Roger Bilings invented the hydrogen car.

    Reply
  112. Nakova Crocker

    Thank you for another amazing science-live video Dr. Billings! I complete a lot of work trying to catch up to my friends LOL 😉
    Go Spirit and Opportunity!
    Dr. B has made my dreams able to be accomplished! He has offered me a scholarship in Acellus and a program that is accredited. I can complete high school faster with great grades, and be able to walk and earn my diploma! Acellus is truly incredible! DrB has/ will help me accomplish my life goals with a high school diploma.
    Thank you for all you have done,
    Nakova Crocker

    Reply
  113. Taylar White

    I enjoy science too. I am learning about different rock formations. How long do you think it takes for rocks to form?

    Reply
  114. Amwaj alrashid

    I love science 🔭🧪

    Reply
  115. Kysen Kittrell

    Computers let me do school from home and im happy about that

    Reply
  116. Bella Wiley

    The concept of hydrogen powered cars is super interesting! I wonder how long it will be before we will see a lot of them.

    Reply
  117. Barrett Pirtle

    Almost everyone uses a computer, I don’t know what we would do if this weren’t made.

    Reply
  118. Delaney Masters

    Listening while I ride my horses!

    Reply
  119. Matthew Groves

    I think computers really made things a lot more convenient with sending e mails, learning things online, and entertainment itself. But what inspired people to make things like ChatGPT and Copilot?

    Reply
  120. Sawyer Smith

    My mom graduated high school in 1999! 😆

    Reply
  121. Khaldoun Al Maleh

    Funny ending, very educational video.

    Reply
  122. Zandie Ortiz

    Technology is so interesting, this was very fun to watch!

    Reply
  123. Emerale Stephens

    It makes sense to give the students that really care about learning the scholarship because other students who don’t care as much wouldn’t use the scholarship the way it is necessary.

    Reply
  124. Charlotte

    I’m interested in knowing which scientist forgot to convert the units from metric to imperial…

    Reply
  125. Carter Holt

    I really like this video. Do you think computers will evolve a lot more in the next 5 years?

    Reply
  126. Hayden

    Space interests me, and I was surprised that someone forgot to convert from the imperial system to the metric system.

    Reply
  127. Evan

    The old computer costing nearly 4000$ is insane i could buy like three computers to day.

    Reply
  128. Jocelyn Perez

    This was so ironic learning about a computer while on a computer lol!

    Reply
  129. Jasmin Sosa

    The x-man joke in the beginning made me laugh so hard!

    Reply
  130. Stella

    Computers are so interesting. What’s a feature you think all computers should have? Thank you for Science Live!

    Reply
  131. Skylar Cooper

    Its so crazy to me how advanced computers are and how they can do so many things.

    Reply
  132. eva

    It was so interesting to learn about Spirit and Opportunity!!

    Reply
  133. Atticus Robinson

    Real cool stuff! The Billings Computer is so cool, all the parts are really interesting!

    Reply
  134. Alexander Pozo

    AI is soooo cool, i cant believe that it was able to pick up a CLEAR container. The camera makes it harder to see clear. however made must be super smart.

    Reply
  135. Kailey Holman

    It’s interesting that one little microchip can do everything on a computer.

    Reply
  136. Alexa Trosky

    Thank you for sharing your journey in developing your own computer. I love how you never gave up and kept going even with you hit different obstacles.

    Reply
  137. Nydrea

    I like how he show the microprocessor and how it looks.

    Reply
  138. Kirsten Liddle

    I remember in Disney in Epcot the ride spaceship earth shows the invention and early years of the computer

    Reply
  139. Mia Moore

    wow! that was cool. Thank goodness for technology

    Reply
  140. Kade steimel

    Dr Roger has an insanely diverse mind

    Reply
  141. Simone tarantelli

    That is amazing !

    Reply
  142. sofia Sliva

    I love watching science live. It teaches so many cool things! I love learning about things that are happening now.

    Reply
  143. Sofia Sliva

    I love watching science live. I learn so much about things I wonder about!

    Reply
  144. Noah Sliva

    I loved listening to the story about thr rovers on Mars! So much planning has to be done.

    Reply
  145. Atticus W

    That’s cool ! My great grandfather helped build the ENIAC!

    Reply
  146. Lily Gibson

    It is so cool how much they have changed!

    Reply
  147. Jaxon Cunningham

    I didn’t know that the first rover was on mars before 1999.

    Reply
  148. kera m osborne

    You should talk more about this computer. Maybe tell more story of it.

    Reply
  149. Logan Phillips

    Computers are so amazing. I still think its crazy that so many things we use everyday use computers and that they were not invented that long ago.

    Reply
  150. Ryland Gomez

    The astronauts should of been rescued sooner.

    Reply
  151. James Hines

    Thank you for the history lesson on computers.

    Reply
  152. Ryleigh Dunn

    What exactly inspired this new idea of technology, such as AI, Chat GPT and Gemini? I really enjoyed watching this!

    Reply
  153. Gage kimbell

    I love this live!

    Reply
  154. Ryland Gomez

    Why weren’t the astronauts rescued sooner?

    Reply
  155. Kailah Aceves

    I can’t imagine life without our technology!

    Reply
  156. Lantz Myers

    It’s really interesting how you found out to put the transponder in the power supply to fix the issue with the monitor.

    Reply
  157. Preston Thompson

    It’s crazy how computers changed the world epically this one!

    Reply
  158. Rylan Myers

    It is really cool they figured out to use joints instead of springs.

    Reply
  159. Kyndal

    I am so happy that we have technology:)!

    Reply
  160. Brodee Shaffer

    Brodee was excited to learn about the Mars rovers. She wants to go there.

    Reply
  161. julia

    technology is so interesting and so fun to learn about!

    Reply
  162. Ashtyn Kuiper

    so glad the astonauts were rescued by Elons space craft.

    Reply
  163. Tyson

    I likes the story about the rovers to space.

    Reply
  164. Barrett Zapf

    That was fun; learning about computers

    Reply
  165. Bentley Noel

    Love watching these

    Reply
  166. Lourdes Cimolai

    Woah, people have powerful and creative minds for these stuff to be invented!

    Reply
  167. JAHMIR

    Dr.B made the video understandable an clear to all students the way he advance his knowledge.

    Reply
  168. Whitney

    WOW!

    Reply
  169. Miko Moore

    This episode was really cool! I love photography and I loved how the photos taken in space and how the machines to take photos are developed. I also thought it was cool that Dr. B talked about the 2 astronauts being rescued recently on the video. I like that Acellus talks about current things too.

    Reply
  170. Michael Langford

    Mr.billings you inspire me do help other people get as smart as you.

    Reply
  171. James

    I love mars

    Reply
  172. Michael Langford

    Mr.Billings you should put a acellus mug in the item shop

    Reply
  173. Trinity Batteast

    Computers are the way of the world now.

    Reply
  174. Zachery Johnson

    Wow this is such a cool invention, technology is so fascinating!

    Reply
  175. Sophia

    How long ago was the first computer created?

    Reply
  176. Robert Doyle

    once computers were mainstream how much did they cost?

    Reply
  177. Dezmond Pichardo

    Computer That Changed the World, I cant say I would want to get stuck in outer pace for nine months!!!

    Reply
  178. Matthew Dean Swemmer

    Dear Mr Billings, I appreciate your efforts to create better computers it has helped it had incredible effects on the world I’m sorry you had to go through betrayal and that people doubted you in the past well done and i hope to see more of your science live videos.

    Reply
  179. Luis Daniel Prendiz Burgess

    The Billings Computer its so cool and I am so thrilled every time I hear about it because it truly did change the world.

    Reply
  180. Mazzy

    It’s so crazy how computers can do this!

    Reply
  181. Bre'Shaun J Bailey amos

    As a teenager who grew up with technology, I cannot imagine the world without it and how things got done. I am so thankful for this invention, and the continued progress.

    I am also glad that the two astronauts are finally back home.

    Reply
  182. Jin Clamaron

    These Gemini Robots are making huge progress in so little time. Its amazing !
    Prediction: in 6 months robotics will have become so advanced that they will do the dishes better than me!
    In 3 years, they will be able to do backflips and drive cars.
    In 10 years, they will become the strongest, fastest, smartest things on the planet.
    In 15 years robots will fight for their rights!
    I think mars will be the next habitable zone after earth!
    Computers changed everyone’s lives for the good or the bad doesn’t matter, I wouldn’t be able to do Acellus without it!
    Thank you for the Science live, or should I say Science replay!

    Reply
  183. Molly Critch

    Haha, I just love how working hard can motivate others to do the same. Friendly competition is always fun!

    Reply
  184. Avery Critch

    I’m so glad this was invented! I love technology!

    Reply
  185. Vincent Levinson

    I liked to learn about the AI robots and how the mars rovers actually got to Mars!

    Reply
  186. Karen El-halabi

    Im wondering how Dr. Roger had the guts to trust again when rehiring for the computer invention.

    Reply
  187. brian seltmann

    Great live

    Reply
  188. Ryker Dugger

    It’s crazy on how this computer changed the world!

    Reply
  189. Halleigh

    Dr. Roger’s is a very smart person, it’s very interesting how he’s made multiple breakthroughs.

    Reply
  190. Josie Evans

    the joy in the control room with the successful landing of the Mars rovers was so cool to see,

    Reply
  191. Scarlet Zaytsev

    How long ago was the first computer created?

    Reply
  192. Brigette Zaytsev

    Without computers, would it affect the invention of the phones?

    Reply
  193. Andrea Cervantes

    Love the video! It was a great watch and I learned a lot from it!

    Reply
  194. Brayson Turner

    Area 51 is such a funny character. I am so glad computers were created!

    Reply
  195. Kailey Wilson

    wow! this is so cool!

    Reply
  196. Nate Felts

    Who had the first ever idea of a computer?

    Reply
  197. Micah Crowder

    Will another computer be released with more power & features?

    Reply
  198. Sarah

    Love watching!

    Reply
  199. Kaiden Rhinehart

    That was really cool

    Reply
  200. Taven Oluwa

    I loved this video!

    Reply
  201. Agoddess Waters

    I love this.

    Reply
  202. arianna gleaton

    how long did it take for you to make the computer

    Reply
  203. Ashan Waters

    I love science. New inventions are the future.

    Reply

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