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 »
David and Caleb, yes.
I like both
I loveeee this part
I vote for Caleb…
OMG CALBE IS GORGEOUS!
Caleb-yes David-yes
Hi from Texas!!
Hello R-51!!!
CALEB… This live video has so many interesting subjects.
I like them both working together.
I think both did a good job.
Caleb-yes
k yes
David and Caleb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ofc its ai in r51’s segment.
nice explanation on the edison effect
It’s close but I really like Caleb.
I like both
Caleb
Caleb
GOO R51!
Both David and Caleb were awesome! I loved the presentation
Thumbs up for Caleb and David
David yes
Caleb yes
David
so funny
Hahaha
David & Caleb inspired me 🙂
I enjoyed both David and Caleb.
I vote for David. Voting from Illinois….
I hope everyone has a good year!
both of them.
Caleb
both
David yes Caleb yes! I really liked both of them!
Both of them!
Both
I vote for both
I think both David and Caleb should do it.
Can’t they both of them be able to do it?
I really liked David’s intro
The Science live is wonderful.
Caleb
Both!
Caleb yes 😭
I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year. I would love to have a class with David and Caleb. They make learning fun and I love the way they explained things!
David
yes to david and caleb.
both are great!
Loved this lesson can’t wait for next week
Jeromiah January 7, 2026
So glad Dr. Billings is back. I learn so much.
Caleb yes
both !
caleb and david!
Caleb yes
I like them both….But David has my vote
David Yes and Caleb Yes
I cannot decide which one to choose so I choose both!
It looks like r 51 is up to no good again!
voting David
i voted for both of them!!!
Both
David (yes)
Yes to both
Both of them!
yes and yes. both are extroidinary people. good job raising them. they are funny like you.
Caleb – yes.
David is great too.
Awesome stream!
Its fun to have new people on Science Live :0
David yes. Caleb yes.
My family and I all came to an agreement that we appreciate the back and forth between David and Caleb. They work well together. David had a slight advantage when presenting as a teacher and educator. Caleb had a sense of humor like his Grandfather 🙂 However, we were curious why there is not a female protege candidate?
Keep them both, they work well together. I also loved the first live of 2026.
Great video and see you next week!
David yes Caleb yes
I am so glad to be back! I would love a class with Caleb and David as the teachers because of the way they make learning enjoyable and easier to understand.
I vote caleb!!!!!!!!!!
Area 51 is so funny
David: yes. Caleb: yes.
david
Both are great
We definitely both the duo synergy always works great for these sort of things.
i vote for David and kaleb
both David and Caleb
David yes Caleb yes
Happy New Years! Greetings from West TN.
Caleb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David Yes Caleb Yes
I vote for Caleb because he plays the guitar.
Yes to both!!!
Both David and Caleb are awesome at this all ready! 😀
David!!
I like having Caleb and David on science live I hope we can see more of them Caleb is really funny!
David yes
David yes
Both Caleb and david
David yes Caleb yes
caleb yes
R51 is so funny
david and caleb both
i voted both
caleb
Yes!! Caleb!!
Love both of them, Yes for both honestly
I think Caleb would be a good choice!
Cameron says YES for Caleb!!!!
both 👍
THEY ARE COOL! BOTH!
Yes for David
I like Caleb a lot, I love acting and stuff, and I love editing!~ <3
I vote Caleb!
Both, they’re great! That was a great demonstration!
Hello R-51, you haven’t changed a bit (even though that was just one year ago now)!
David and Caleb they are both great but I feel like they are better together
Yes for David and Caleb
Caleb yes
Caleb yes.
It would be cool to see David and Caleb work together more often on science live !
Caleb & David yes
I like both of them
I like both David and Caleb.
David yes Caleb yes
David and Caleb yes
Both!
DAVID!!!!
This is awesome 😎
hey
I’m voting for Caleb!
Both.
David: Yes
Caleb: Yes
Caleb yes
david yes calb yes
david
Caleb and David!!! Yes!!!
I like both!
I really like Caleb he’s funny
Both
I’m voting David yes, Caleb yes
Both Of them are my choice.
I like both
YES! R51, THE GOAT! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Caleb and David did great! I vote both!
Very interesting! I’ve never heard of rectifying a wave. Both Caleb and David are very smart!
caleb yes
David yes Caleb Yes
Having both David and Caleb would be cool. They both seem like they would make science live more exciting!
I like to hunt
Both they work good together and two always better than one
I would say both they work good ttogether
David – yes. Caleb – yes.🙂👍
They are both qualified and very smart
both are great
Both
Both Please!
Both of those guys are cool, but I think I’d choose Caleb. Also thanks for taking the time to do these live streams, Dr. Billings and Ms. Pajet!
i like both of them! They both seem really nice!
Both Yes
Caleb
calub
kaleb yes
david yes
Caleb
David was the best…
David Yes Caleb Yes
Its so hard to choose! If we cant have both, I’d have to say Caleb!
They’re both great!
I vote Caleb! hope everyone had a happy holidays
David
both
Awesome video!
David Yes
David!
caleb!!
Comment Both are fantastic! It’s impossible for me to choose!
i mean caleb yes
Both!!!!!
David :DD
david yes Caleb yes
David and Caleb yes!!!
Both
Yes for both😍
BOTH
Caleb Yes