The Vacuum Tube Diode
January 7, 2026 • EPISODE 292
What invention helped spark the age of electronics? In this episode of Science LIVE, Dr. Roger Billings and the Protégés break down the vacuum tube diode—one of the earliest electronic components that made controlling the flow of electrons possible. Learn how this simple device works, why it was so important in early radios and computers, and how it laid the groundwork for modern electronic technology. Join us for a clear, engaging look at a key milestone in the history of electronics.
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 »
I vote for both David and Caleb
I gotta go with david, hes just the goat. This episode was amazing
I honestly vote for both.
I vote for both!!
I vote for Caleb
I really liked this episode. I vote for David.
That was wonderful! I prefer David because he’s more serious (probably because he’s older;). I’m very excited for the new episode!
Hi from Utah! Thank you for the Science Live!
I love science and I personally am voting for both.
Both Daniel and Caleb are great! So happy we’ve made it to the new year and science life is back! Excited for the new English class!
Congrats to Anastasia! that is amazing!
I loved learning about the vacuum tube diode.
Honestly, I vote for both!!!!!
R-51 is so funny and makes my day honestly
My favorite part was when R51 was teaching the big R how to make a grandson with 2 batteries and a sunflower.
Thank you so much for these AMAZING lives!!! Hope everyone has a wonderful blessed year.
I rate this science live a 10/10
I vote for Caleb and David.
Does the microscopic robot swim on top of the surface of the water or under the surface of the water.
R51 is the best!!!!
Happy new year from Utah!
I think that Kalub should have their own film class.
love it! I vote for both
I vote for both of them. also plants breathing does not make sense
The painting Samual made of famous paintings is really cool !
I vote for David and Caleb, they make a good team and they are funny.
Great show today!!
I vote for caleb
I live in Arkansas and tornado season is the WORST out here 🙁
Hi from Mississippi great show, I vote for both!
I didn’t know robots could be so small.
R51 is so funny everytime he comes on I start laughing
HAPPY NEW YEAR from Alabama!!!!!
Happy new year I vote for both
I cannot choose between these two guys, they’re both awesome.
I vote for David and also happy new years
Happy New Year. David and Caleb are funny
I loved this science live possibly one of my favorites!
Making a self portrait is pretty impressive.
I vote for both.
One of my favorite ones yet i love it!
Hi from Japan♡☀︎
my family is from japan too 🙂
Great news to hear about Anastasia’s success.
R51 is so funny, also Happy New Year from Georgia!
I liked the parts about Morse code. I thought that Caleb and David both did a good job.
i love roger billing its my fav part of the week
I love how Acellus is creating a new English program
one of my favorite lives yet!!
i love roger billings i learn sm every week
Let’s get this party started!!!!!!
I love science live it’s the best.
It is hard because I like both of them. Probably Caleb I also like David too. Happy Late New Years!
daviiiiiiid!!!!!!!
they are both so good.
I love SCIENCE!!!!!!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
I think it is crazy that robots are getting smarter but smaller.
R51 is my favorite. I love the tiny robot. I vote for David!
You can definitely tell where Caleb gets his sense of humor from haha. I vote for both Caleb and David!
First science live down, and I vote for Caleb !!!
Happy New Year! also i vote for David & Caleb.
Happy birthday Dr. Billings
Yay science live!
I’m so glad that both David and Caleb will be teaching us more.
Happy New years, I vote for Caleb.
WOW!
It was thrilling to see Roger Billings son, and it’s very interesting that robot’s can get so small. Someone should make a army of tiny robots.
Science live teaches me something new every episode.
Happy late new year, hope it brings good luck!
How amazing is it that Dr. Billings has a son just as smart as he is?! I vote both gentlemen, they both seem to be headed in a an awesome direction to a very bright future. Congratulations to Anastasia, just WOW!
Science live is the best!
I vote david, and happy late new year! I loved this Science LIVE by the way.
Happy new year y’all!
how deep can the tiny robots swim around in water and would they be able to swim around in the ocean?
David and Caleb definitely!
Happy new year everyone!!! 🎉🎉🎉 I really liked this science live! My favorite part was when Caleb and David explained vacuum tube diodes also the 30 sec build montage was funny! the ☕ break was funny
I think that this science live was incredible.
This Science Live was my favorite! 100% both CALEB & DAVID!!!!
Thank you Acellus team! David and Caleb were both great, and I loved how genuine their relationship was. Also it was so neat learning about morse code, I think it is so fascinating how it works! I make morse code bracelets with encrypted messages on them for my friends and family! Looking forward to next week!
I love reading books!
I vote for both, David and Caleb😍
I love watching these!
It’s very interesting to see how the vacuum diode has changed over the years.
This science live was fascinating plants breath yes we know that but you explained how and why :D.
Happy New Year. I didn’t know plants breathed either.
science live is so fun to watch!
100% CALEB & DAVID FOR THE WIN!!!
I vote for Caleb & David I also try to play the guitar.
Greetings from Kennewick, Wa!
Happy New Years! Can’t wait to enter 2026 with Acellus and learn so many new things! 🙂
(btw, loved the science live today!)
Happy New Year! Good job Caleb and David!
Excellent science live to start of 2026, I look forward to all of the inventions that will be shown in these upcoming science lives.
I love r.51 he is so funny I love the videos
It’s crazy how planets breathe!
How do those tiny robots swim?
Dr. Tobias is so silly and inspiring, he’s my favorite! I loved the montages of Caleb and David, they are very charming and definitely have what it takes! (I’m expecting to see Caleb in a TV Show 🙂 )
I vote for david
Happy New Year from Kentucky!
Happy New Year from Wyoming!
Watching this got me inspired.
I choose David and Caleb! Hi from IL – Kimry
What is the process that will enable these plants to use water more efficiently? Also, with this new development, what else can we change about these plants to make them more efficient?
Its crazy how it is 2026 already.
what’s the most difficult situation you’ve ever been in roger?