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.


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312 Comments

  1. Cory

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

    Reply
  2. Grace

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

    Reply
  3. Jameson

    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
  4. Amber

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

    Reply
  5. Rivers

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

    Reply
  6. Gabe

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

    Reply
  7. Julia

    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
  8. Dustin

    I love computers.

    Reply
  9. Hayden

    computers are insane

    Reply
  10. Daniel

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

    Reply
  11. Arik

    Technology is so interesting!

    Reply
  12. Victoria

    What would we do without computers

    Reply
  13. Yusuf

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

    Reply
  14. Adam

    The computer that changed the world is amazing 👏 🤩

    Reply
  15. Jessa

    I love the robot

    Reply
  16. Jabari

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

    Reply
  17. Gunnar

    Computers are SWEET

    Reply
  18. Kamilah

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

    Reply
  19. Victoria

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

    Reply
  20. Lane

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

    Reply
  21. Samuel

    I built a computer with my dad last year.

    Reply
  22. Jada

    This was an amazing video.

    Reply
  23. Gia

    r 51 was great.

    Reply
  24. Eldad

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

    Reply
  25. Briana

    Loved the lesson today! Snakes are my favorite !

    Reply
  26. Samantha

    Technology has come so far.

    Reply
  27. Meghan

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

    Reply
  28. Alexander

    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
  29. Josh

    Science live is awesome and computers make it the best.

    Reply
  30. Paige

    I love watching your videos.

    Reply
  31. Elijah

    Cool video

    Reply
  32. Ruth

    I love R-51 he is so funny

    Reply
  33. Elena

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

    Reply
  34. Cora

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

    Reply
  35. Caiden

    Computer are very interesting to learn about

    Reply
  36. Justin

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

    Reply
  37. 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
  38. Leandra

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

    Reply
  39. Sarah

    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
  40. Angel

    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
  41. Lillyian

    Love learning about computers ON a computer

    Reply
  42. Killian

    I like the robot.

    Reply
  43. Amilicia

    What a neat story! You are so inspiring!

    Reply
  44. Greenlee

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

    Reply
  45. Beckerjames

    And the part where the robot did a slam dunk!

    Reply
  46. Becker

    I liked the mars part

    Reply
  47. Callan

    Loved learning about The Computer That Changed the World

    Reply
  48. George

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

    Reply
  49. Jose

    Computers are so interesting.

    Reply
  50. Tyler

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

    Reply
  51. Julianna

    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
  52. Lela

    Computers are truly amazing

    Reply
  53. Aryan

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

    Reply
  54. Tristen

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

    Reply
  55. Seraphia

    I am so fascinated by technology

    Reply
  56. Stacia

    I love learning about computers this was awesome thank you

    Reply
  57. Rebekah

    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
  58. Cam

    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
  59. Brayden

    It’s it crazy how much technology has evolved

    Reply
  60. 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
  61. Callen

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

    Reply
  62. Sarah

    Watching from Connecticut

    Reply
  63. 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
  64. Emma

    I actually love computers

    Reply
  65. Emma

    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
  66. 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
  67. Kaylie

    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
  68. Malaysia

    Its amazing how far computer technology has come.

    Reply
  69. Braden

    love the live stream

    Reply
  70. Malaysia

    It’s amazing how far computer technology has come.

    Reply
  71. Kelsey

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

    Reply
  72. Vivienna

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

    Reply
  73. Brayden

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

    Reply
  74. Zoey

    this is so cool

    Reply
  75. Garrick

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

    Reply
  76. Martyn

    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
  77. Reuben

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

    Reply
  78. Titus

    How much does a average computer weigh.

    Reply
  79. Filemon

    I really liked the Robert doing origami

    Reply
  80. Alexander

    I enjoyed learning about the Billings computer!

    Reply
  81. Lane

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

    Reply
  82. Katie

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

    Reply
  83. Kendallyn

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

    Reply
  84. Nakova

    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
  85. Taylar

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

    Reply
  86. Amwaj

    I love science 🔭🧪

    Reply
  87. Kysen

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

    Reply
  88. Bella

    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
  89. Barrett

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

    Reply
  90. Delaney

    Listening while I ride my horses!

    Reply
  91. Matthew

    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
  92. Sawyer

    My mom graduated high school in 1999! 😆

    Reply
  93. Khaldoun

    Funny ending, very educational video.

    Reply
  94. Zandie

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

    Reply
  95. Emerale

    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
  96. Charlotte

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

    Reply
  97. Carter

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

    Reply
  98. Hayden

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

    Reply
  99. Evan

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

    Reply
  100. Jocelyn

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

    Reply
  101. Jasmin

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

    Reply
  102. Stella

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

    Reply
  103. Skylar

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

    Reply
  104. Eva

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

    Reply
  105. Atticus

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

    Reply
  106. Alexander

    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
  107. Kailey

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

    Reply
  108. Alexa

    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
  109. Nydrea

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

    Reply
  110. Kirsten

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

    Reply
  111. Mia

    wow! that was cool. Thank goodness for technology

    Reply
  112. Kade

    Dr Roger has an insanely diverse mind

    Reply
  113. Simone

    That is amazing !

    Reply
  114. Sofia

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

    Reply
  115. Sofia

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

    Reply
  116. Noah

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

    Reply
  117. Atticus

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

    Reply
  118. Lily

    It is so cool how much they have changed!

    Reply
  119. Jaxon

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

    Reply
  120. Kera

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

    Reply
  121. Logan

    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
  122. Ryland

    The astronauts should of been rescued sooner.

    Reply
  123. James

    Thank you for the history lesson on computers.

    Reply
  124. Ryleigh

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

    Reply
  125. Gage

    I love this live!

    Reply
  126. Ryland

    Why weren’t the astronauts rescued sooner?

    Reply
  127. Kailah

    I can’t imagine life without our technology!

    Reply
  128. Lantz

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

    Reply
  129. Preston

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

    Reply
  130. Rylan

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

    Reply
  131. Kyndal

    I am so happy that we have technology:)!

    Reply
  132. Brodee

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

    Reply
  133. Julia

    technology is so interesting and so fun to learn about!

    Reply
  134. Ashtyn

    so glad the astonauts were rescued by Elons space craft.

    Reply
  135. Tyson

    I likes the story about the rovers to space.

    Reply
  136. Barrett

    That was fun; learning about computers

    Reply
  137. Bentley

    Love watching these

    Reply
  138. Lourdes

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

    Reply
  139. Jahmir

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

    Reply
  140. Whitney

    WOW!

    Reply
  141. Miko

    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
  142. Michael

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

    Reply
  143. James

    I love mars

    Reply
  144. Michael

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

    Reply
  145. Trinity

    Computers are the way of the world now.

    Reply
  146. Zachery

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

    Reply
  147. Sophia

    How long ago was the first computer created?

    Reply
  148. Robert

    once computers were mainstream how much did they cost?

    Reply
  149. Dezmond

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

    Reply
  150. Matthew

    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
  151. Luis

    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
  152. Mazzy

    It’s so crazy how computers can do this!

    Reply
  153. Bre'shaun

    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
  154. Jin

    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
  155. Molly

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

    Reply
  156. Avery

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

    Reply
  157. Vincent

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

    Reply
  158. Karen

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

    Reply
  159. Brian

    Great live

    Reply
  160. Ryker

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

    Reply
  161. Halleigh

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

    Reply
  162. Josie

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

    Reply
  163. Scarlet

    How long ago was the first computer created?

    Reply
  164. Brigette

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

    Reply
  165. Andrea

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

    Reply
  166. Brayson

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

    Reply
  167. Kailey

    wow! this is so cool!

    Reply
  168. Nate

    Who had the first ever idea of a computer?

    Reply
  169. Micah

    Will another computer be released with more power & features?

    Reply
  170. Sarah

    Love watching!

    Reply
  171. Kaiden

    That was really cool

    Reply
  172. Taven

    I loved this video!

    Reply
  173. Agoddess

    I love this.

    Reply
  174. Arianna

    how long did it take for you to make the computer

    Reply
  175. Ashan

    I love science. New inventions are the future.

    Reply

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