How to Invent

November 19, 2025ย  โ€ขย  EPISODE 287

How do great inventions begin? In this episode of Science LIVE, Dr. Roger Billings breaks down the process of inventingโ€”showing how curiosity, creativity, and simple problem-solving can grow into real innovations. Using Morse code as an example, he explains how messages are sent and demonstrates it with a telegraph key. A fun, practical look at how anyone can start turning ideas into inventions.

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 โ€œDrBโ€ 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 DrBโ€™s lifelong commitment to supporting education, Science LIVE was launched as a way to โ€œgive backโ€ by mentoring students in conjunction with the Roger Billings Scholarship Program.


Read more about DrB ยปย 
About the Roger Billings Scholarship Program ยป

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6,227 Comments

  1. Leo

    hello Texas here.

    Reply
  2. Keaira

    Hello from VA! I love science live. Because I find science really interesting!

    Reply
  3. Christopher

    Morse code is so cool!

    Reply
  4. Keegan

    Is there a course on Morse Code?

    Reply
  5. Baylee

    I think Morse code is so interesting. Inventions are amazing. Technology has changed so much!

    Reply
  6. Colton

    Hello from southern Oklahoma! I have always found morse code interesting.

    Reply
  7. Alexander

    When developing the Email system, when did people start to think about using satellites for long-term communications?

    Reply
  8. Saarah

    Morse code is so cool

    Reply
  9. Aria

    Hello from wisconsin.

    Reply
  10. Samantha

    Hello from Ohio! Iโ€™m so glad we are able to watch these lives every Wednesday, itโ€™s a true honor.

    Reply
  11. Reese

    Hello from Pennsylvania!

    Reply
  12. Damian

    Hey from Texas!

    Reply
  13. Tressa

    I think itโ€™s cool that you can talk over wires

    Reply
  14. Micaiah

    Hi from Florida!

    Reply
  15. Gabriella

    Hello from Texas

    Reply
  16. Jaken

    Thank you for the video! Hello from NC

    Reply
  17. Ashlyn

    I love science live! It makes me laugh every time.

    Reply
  18. Luke

    when did you create the hydrgeyn bus

    Reply
  19. Casey

    Hi from illinois i look foward to this every week

    Reply
    • Emily

      I love science live.โค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ

      Reply
  20. Gavin

    How did they determine how short a buzz should be or how long a buzz should be for each letter?

    Reply
  21. Silas

    Morse code is a clever way to communicate.

    Reply
  22. Thorian

    What was the computer the first E-mail was sent on

    Reply
  23. Abimael

    I am really glad Iโ€™m able to study and work with you

    Reply
  24. Almira

    Science is super cool; I love learning more things about this subject!

    Reply
  25. Remison

    I like learning about science and doing science experiments. I love learning about all the inventions!

    Reply
  26. Mckenna

    Watching from Las Vegas! Amazing science live.

    Reply
  27. Faith

    Love this show!

    Reply
  28. Mia

    How does a switch turn on and off lights just by going up or down?

    Reply
  29. Lillian

    Hi from Nebraska! I love how interesting Science Live is

    Reply
  30. Liz

    Commet* Hi from Illionis so would the native americans have to make a big fire to message them from the smoke?

    Reply
  31. Amelia

    It’s really cool that I can make a comment, all the way from New York and you can get it immediately!

    Reply
  32. Jayden

    thank you you inspire me to do better and try to create different thing thank you

    Reply
  33. Camilla

    Love this so much thank you ACELLUS

    Reply
  34. Mylee

    Paint Monet is pretty and funny and has influenced my life so much. Dr.Roger Billings is so smart.

    Reply
  35. Josiah

    Hi I am from texes

    Reply
  36. Adrian

    Hi from NC

    Reply
  37. Alvaro

    hi from nebraska

    Reply
  38. Kadeem

    Thank you for all the tips i love science live

    Reply
  39. Emily

    I love listening to science live and being reminded that everything around us was just a idea at one point in time. Hearing about the process of things that are apart of everyday life is really inspiring knowing all it took was an idea and determination to invent.

    Reply
    • Emily

      Well Spoken ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  40. Ashton

    We should have a class for creating inventions

    Reply
  41. Brooklyn

    honestly even though Iโ€™m not good at science, this live makes me want to be better at it

    Reply
  42. Claudia

    Claudia from West Virginia, hope we get these lectures forever! Love them!

    Reply
  43. Aliyah

    Hiii! From Georgia!

    Reply
  44. Elizabeth

    Hi I am lizzy from Mississippi. I hope I can be a medical researcher some day!

    Reply
  45. Damien

    Hey from Illinois, happy I could tune in for another live of Dr. Billings.

    Reply
  46. Amie

    I love Science lives!!!!

    Reply
  47. Sebastian

    Hi from Sweet home Alabama! The cycle of science is such an intriguing topic. I’ve always enjoyed moving from hypotheses, to theories, to results and data analytics in order to find problems with our process and gradually refine it until we have a solution! Thank you so much for sharing your intelligence and tips with us Dr. Billings! Thanks to everyone working so hard to keep these Science Lives up n running!

    Reply
  48. Proud

    What were Bill Lear’s inventive principles learned from Thomas Edison?

    Reply
  49. Anthony

    I always like seeing the science live evry wednesday.

    Reply
  50. Lorelai

    I really love science. Acellus makes me believe I can invent something that will be great for the science world!

    Reply
  51. Juliannys

    Hi from Virginia. Hope everyone is enjoying as much as I am ๐Ÿ™‚๐Ÿ™‚.

    Reply
  52. Kamron

    Science live is amazing, dr.b! How did you make an entire school system and legacy single handedly

    Reply
  53. Cassidy

    Hi from NY. thank you for teaching us, giving us tips on studying and encouraging us to live out our creativity.

    Reply
  54. Aaron

    loving this live keep it up Acellus!!!

    Reply
  55. Dalton

    We look forward to science live weekly!

    Reply
  56. Elijah

    Watching from Indiana!

    Reply
  57. Dylan

    Hello from Mars!

    Reply
  58. Eli

    I live on a farm and work with our goats. I am seeing things that I need to try and get to make working with the goats easier. I like the idea that I need to write down so I can work on making the things that will make it easier. I may try to invent things to help around the farm. Thank you Dr. B for these ideas of what I need to do.

    Reply
    • Averi

      cooll!!!!!

      Reply
    • Arial

      Howdy, from WV I love the farm and the country it’s so nice out here. At night the stars are so beautiful. Hope you and your goat have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING down younder.

      Reply
  59. Sofia

    Hi from Florida!!!

    Reply
    • Jayden

      The beginning of emails is a significant breakthrough that we all use. I always enjoy hearing about how the creations of all we use started.

      Reply
    • Chloe

      I loved todayโ€™s live very inspiring!

      Reply
  60. Lawson

    I would love to own my own car. i would wanna invent a flying car! I feel like that would be awesome. I would also love to make my own business too. those are some things that i dream about lol. I love acellus!

    Reply
  61. Hunter

    Hi from Florida! It was interesting to learn how emails were made!!!!!

    Reply
  62. Levi

    I โค๏ธ science live!

    Reply
  63. Andrew

    I would like to invent something with trains because I think they are cool.

    Reply
  64. Genevieve

    I think having a strong hypothesis is just as important as your invention

    Reply
  65. Mason

    Well I think robots are very useful.i

    Reply
  66. Jensen

    I love helping my brother and my dad build things.

    Reply
  67. Hayden

    How do museums preserve fossils and ancient artifacts without them decaying? Is there something that helps keep them intact as theyโ€™re showcased?

    Reply
  68. Emma

    My mom always says: โ€œeverything starts with a sparkโ€

    Reply
  69. Ashlyn

    How long does it take to invent something big?

    Reply
  70. Axel

    Thomas Edisonโ€™s first working model of the light bulb happened on this date in 1879.

    Reply
  71. Lakin

    Dr.B has good stories and I always learn from him.

    Reply
  72. Kaitlyn

    One day I would like to invent something extraordinary.

    Reply
  73. Michael

    I know about thomas Edison, he was a famous inventor.

    Reply
  74. Druid

    What other ways is the process of invention similar to the scientific method?

    Reply
  75. Charley

    Iโ€™m graduating next year!

    Reply
  76. Kaylee

    i love Wednesday

    Reply
  77. Emmie

    Dr. Billings, did it take quite a bit of experimentation to figure out the best model for Acellus Academy?

    Reply
  78. Rutledge

    Dr Billings – i’ve been trying to see things that i see around me like in the store from the perspective of an inventor. Thing about what made someone want to invent that or want to sell it and its got me thinking more like an inventor it think! Thank you!

    Reply
  79. Benja

    SCIENCE LIVE IS THE BEST from MO

    Reply
  80. Ezra

    Hi i love these and these are so fun to watch i always wonder if i could create something someday.

    Reply
  81. Isha

    when I grow up I wanna be like Roger Billings

    Reply
  82. Jackson

    During all of your inventions, What is the best lesson you have learned so far?

    Reply
  83. Alice

    This will help me invent what I’ve been brainstorming for years!

    Reply
  84. Stetson

    I love to try to invent and build things with my dad on the weekend.

    Reply
  85. Marshal

    I’m always so excited for science live. Science is my favorite subject you know! ๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„๐Ÿ˜„

    Reply
  86. Violet

    Hi from the USA! love this program!

    Reply
  87. Riley

    Hi from Virginia Beach!

    Reply
  88. Sophia

    PAJET ROCKS

    Reply
  89. Michael

    Hi from Georgia

    Reply
  90. Brennen

    I hope you keep spreading your science all over the Globe!

    Reply
  91. Alexa

    Loving this live!Thank for helping me learn

    Reply
  92. Zheva

    So when I write a song, am I inventing something?

    Reply
  93. Jeremiah

    Comment Hi! Iโ€™m from Ohio! Iโ€™m loving Science Live!

    Reply
  94. Rinah

    Wow! I’ve heard of the learning process they use for artificially intelligent robots like those shown, but the technology amazes me every time! Human ingenuity is truly an impressive tool, and it keeps getting better as we hone it.

    Reply
  95. Hailee

    Hello from CT! I think it’s so interesting how modern technology is directly inspired by works of our past, just like that example at the start with messenger doves evolving into emails!

    Reply
  96. Shawn

    I never thought the origin of the “at” symbol would go back that far, this is why it’s important to study the history of anything.

    Reply
  97. Joel

    Hi from Illinois

    Reply
  98. John

    Hi from Virginia . What if you can take someone elseโ€™s invention and make it better, more useful. How do you do that and still give the original inventor credit?

    Reply
  99. Kyle

    I hope I can invent something someday. I love Accellus! Dr. B is so smart

    Reply
  100. Besora

    If there was something you could invent in the future/ right now what would it be?

    Reply
  101. Amariyah

    Hi!! From Florida

    Reply
  102. Ameelah

    Hi from NJ

    Reply
  103. Theodore

    it really is true, you do learn something new everyday.

    Reply
  104. Alexander

    Overthinking is definitely something that hinders some peoples thought process.

    Reply
  105. Shaun

    I love science live

    Reply
  106. Alahni

    Thank you Roger Billings for sharing your knowledge with all of us! Thank you also to Pajet for always being so kind and an inspiration!!

    Reply
  107. Paxton

    hello from nc!

    Reply
  108. Jayden

    Hello from mississippi.

    Reply
  109. Eowyn

    DR. ROGER BILLINGS IS AWESOME AND FUNNY ๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿ˜‚ I LOVE โค๏ธ SCIENCE LIV!

    Reply
  110. Ezra

    Is it still useful to try and improve upon already-invented things?

    Reply
  111. Nicole

    The beginning of emails is a significant breakthrough that we all use. I always enjoy hearing about how the creations of all we use started.

    Reply
  112. Charley

    I love Acellus! Iโ€™m graduating next year!

    Reply
  113. Alliyah

    Iโ€™m from Texas, I love the science lives

    Reply
  114. Isis

    I love how every episode provides very useful or interesting information

    Reply
  115. Cason

    Hi from texas, I thought it was cool learning how the robots being programmed how to fall without damaging the battery pack and email!.

    Reply
  116. Hugh

    One day I’m going to invent something, I just have to keep trying and learning!!!!!!

    Reply
  117. Zariah

    How do you know if an idea is good enough to try and build?

    Reply
  118. Carlos

    Hi from New Jersey! Such an amazing program.

    Reply
  119. Jonathan

    Hey! Jonathan from NY! I actually hope to become an Engineer. But, I know some science comes along with it. I really love these live shows, and thought it would be cool to say so. Thanks for the education you give us all! I learned so much this week.

    Reply
  120. Jesus

    love how he encourages and inspires us all.

    Reply
  121. Lucy

    R 51 did it…๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ๐Ÿคฃ I love R 51

    Reply
  122. Joseph

    I wonder if R-51 can invent a clone of himself, that would be interesting.

    Reply
  123. Shamara

    SO COOL ๐Ÿ˜Ž ๐Ÿ˜ ๐Ÿ’Œ

    Reply
  124. Isaac

    What pin are you wearing, Mr. Billings?

    Reply
  125. Yusha

    howdy howdy from Virginia!

    Reply
  126. Evangeline

    Evangeline, I love science live.The landing of the robot is so funny, and I love R51. Roger Billings is also R51. He he. Canโ€™t wait to get the Acellus Dance robot!

    Reply
  127. Isabella

    Inventing something would be fun! I have a few ideas that I’m going to try ๐Ÿ˜€

    Reply
  128. Reese

    Do you consider any of your inventions to be a failure, or do you learn something from all of them, so it’s worth it?

    Reply
  129. Alexander

    is there any progress on the hydrogen well?

    Reply
  130. Sarah

    I loveeeeeeeeeeeereeeee science live

    Reply
  131. Owen

    How many hydrogen inventions did you invent

    Reply
  132. Harper

    Dr. Billings, what was your first invention? What was your favorite invention?

    Reply
  133. Addison

    How long does it take to get a patent after youโ€™ve applied for it?

    Reply
  134. Hudson

    How do you settle on just one idea?

    Reply
  135. Ellie

    I LOVE THE CHIEFS!!! I don’t live in Kansas anymore but they are my team and I will always support them especially now that we have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes we’ve been doing sooooo much better

    Reply
  136. Charley

    Acellus made it so I can graduate next year! ๐Ÿ’™๐ŸŽ“

    Reply
  137. Dresden

    my favorite time of the week!

    Reply
  138. Kalea

    dr. Roger Billings is so cool

    Reply
  139. Destinee

    Dr. Roger Billings, have you ever thought about giving up when inventing or have you ever messed up when inventing something? If so, what did you do to fix what messed up and what was your mindset?

    Reply
  140. Kairi

    Mahomes and Billings would be an awesome combination!!

    Reply
  141. Brianna

    Hi from Washington State!!

    Reply
  142. Gage

    Greetings from illinois.

    Reply
  143. Olivia

    I love science live I learn so much

    Reply
  144. Logan

    How does the robot do the pose that is shown in the picture?

    Reply
  145. Kya

    Iโ€™m from Nevada I love science live!

    Reply
    • Alyce

      Hi from Nj I just wanted to say how much I love your program and I enjoy learning and watching science live! Thank you so much!

      Reply
  146. Avory

    hi from tx

    Reply
  147. Mayssa

    ๐“˜ ๐“ต๐“ธ๐“ฟ๐“ฎ ๐“ผ๐“ฌ๐“ฒ๐“ฎ๐“ท๐“ฌ๐“ฎ ๐“ช๐“ท๐“ญ ๐“˜ ๐“ต๐“ฒ๐“ด๐“ฎ ๐“ฝ๐“ธ ๐“ต๐“ฎ๐“ช๐“ป๐“ท

    Reply
  148. Ian

    Hey! From Florida!

    Reply
  149. Aiden

    I love science live so much anyone who agrees with me

    Reply
  150. Rebecca

    Hi from NC

    Reply
  151. Nebiyah

    What can we do to improve the totality of healthy and organic foods that don’t have pestisides in it?

    Reply
  152. Asher

    AAHHHHH! DR. B! Don’t say that! We all love being here and we all enjoy your lessons! Your my (our, our) mentor!! We all love what your doing!

    Reply
  153. Paxton

    It would be awesome to invent something!

    Reply
  154. Lilliann

    hi from Virginia

    Reply
  155. Emma

    Hi from Texas

    Reply
  156. Kada

    Hello from Missouri!

    Reply
  157. Kasen

    Itโ€™s really cool how Disney is in the process of making a algorithm so robots can fall safely and stylish!

    Reply
  158. Priya

    Iโ€™m also starting to get excited about science.

    Reply
  159. Ashlynn

    hi from NC! Great live!

    Reply
  160. Charlotte

    Hi from Maine.

    Reply
  161. Joslynn

    Hello, from Texas!!!

    Reply
  162. Kohen

    Hello from California, excited for a new science live!

    Reply
  163. Mira

    I am NOT just here for the Scolarship! I am here for the AWESOMENESS!!!! AND the Knowledge!!! I Love Science Live!!!!

    Reply
  164. Joshua

    I want to invent a robot to fold my clothes

    Reply
  165. Charley

    Acellus made it so I can graduate next year! ๐ŸŽ“

    Reply
  166. Jacob

    Hi Jacob from Missouri here, I appreciate the vectored instructions. They have helped me a few times.

    Reply
    • Kaylee

      Yes they have helped me a few times too!! And i appreciate them too!!!

      Reply
    • Destinee

      Yes I agree. It has also helped me a lot, especially for geometry!

      Reply
  167. Charlotte

    Hi from Georgia. I’m super excited to see what you have to say for us tonight .โ˜บ๏ธ๐ŸŒŸyou guys are absolutely amazing and always give us something new and interesting to learn every Wednesday.

    Reply
  168. Skylar

    hi from illinois

    Reply
  169. Malakie

    Hi from NC.

    Reply
  170. Aboubacar

    Hi from Atlanta Georgia

    Reply
  171. Malakai

    Hi from VA.

    Reply
  172. Adam

    I have been more interested in science since I joined Acellus

    Reply
  173. Mattison

    I look forward to science live every week.

    Reply
  174. Layna

    Love what iโ€™m learning( Hi from kentucky)

    Reply
  175. Javier

    hi from kansas.

    Reply

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