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 »
both! Funny video
Both for sure.
I think both would be great!
Great video, thanks!
when will the conspiracy history class start?
I liked when he talked about Samuel Morse and telegraph. It was really awesome to listen to and cool to learn about. I also like listening to the science lives that happen every week.
I love watching this every week!
I want Caleb
Both, or caleb
Both!! Can’t wait for the next live.
BOTH!!
r-51 is amazing
Both would be awesome
Hello! Taylor from Texas.
Both!
so cool
Both
Both
Both
loved this live hope everyone is starting off with an amazing year
Hire both, great video!
love how and what they do on science live
I vote for David !
Both for sure! I think they’re both entertaining and I’d love to see them return to science Live!
david but they would both be cool!
I vote for David! Awesome video!
Both!
Hello from Colorado 😀
Both are great.
Thank you for science live I love learning new things because of it. I like both Caleb and David
R 51 is awesome. Sometimes I wonder if you could make enough energy for a infinite amount of electricity for infinite light bulb
Both
How did Edison even understood that the thing on the bulb was coming from the charges?
So happy to see R-51…. he is awesome!!
Both
I think both! Great live.
I thought it was funny when you made the sunflower into a grandson and a son.
happy new year!! hello from mississippi
I vote david
David!
Loved this episode
And both are really good!!
I would be interested in learning Morse code
My brother and I were discussing it and we feel they are both good candidates.
both would be best
i really enjoyed this live and think both are great i cant decide
david!
I say hire both! 😀
Please never stop posting I love science live and happy new years!!!
I vote David
both
Also, I vote for both!
Boooooothhhth
I say hire both!
both
I think they both have a good way of telling other people things.
Big shout out to Mr Rand Mrs P.. We love you. The Morse code invention really inspires artist like me . Science live is my fav place to learn new facts.
Liked both please take both of them Mr R.
I vote David.
DAVid YES
I say both!
Missed these videos! Great as always!
Please hire both Caleb and David!
Both
I think both of them should be hired!!!
I am so looking forward to the next episode and I would love it to be about radio waves again!
Both Explained Edison effect understandably and throughly, keep them in the program.
Both
Its good to have science live back! I hope you all had a great Christmas and New years!
hey from new hampshire
Both
vote david
I love science live!
caleb-yes
i vote for david
Im so excited when the history calls comes and this is the best and btw both to answer the question!
I think they both have a good way of telling people thing.
both
This was a very educational video that taught me a lot. I really enjoyed hearing about Samuel Morse and how he created the Morse code. To think he was just an artist who created something so magnificent.
Both of them were cool
Your Son and Grandson are very smart.
I love watching these videos on Wednesday it adds inspiration to watch it every day!
i vote both of them!!!
I think you should hire both of them.
I vote for them both because they did an excellent job at explaining the material.
i voted for both of them!!
I think they are both great!!!
BOTH!!
I vote both
I vote for Caleb.
I am excited for the conspiracy class
Both. From California. First time attending a Science Live.
I vote David
I loved science live
It was so cool to see the world’s tiniest robot in the world. Mores code was interesting to learn about. I vote for both Caleb and David.
Both
Both
In todays science live Dr.John talked about how robots move in water. Tobias talked about samual Morses he did self portraits , he painted a painting of a bunch of paintings he loved .
Happy new year everyone!
Both
i vote for david!
Awesome live to start off the new year! I would vote for David but, they both seemed great.
BOTH!
Hello! I like both
hire both of them
It was actually pretty cool to see how Morse code was invented 🙂
David and Caleb!!🫶🏻
I think they were both.
caleb was funny
David seemed interesting
I think you should hire both!
I vote for David!
I vote for both.
I like Caleb .
This live was so excited and I learned so much!!!
Yesss! Science Live is back!! Happy New Years everyone.
these science lives have helped me so much through out my homeschooling adventure i loved this!
david and caleb were pretty neat live i liked there video thanks goodnite
I vote Yes David and Kaleb.
I think both of them are equally great!
i think both!!
I like both.
both are really good at explaining the concepts and i enjoyed how they interacted together, so my vote is the both of them.
I say hire both!!
Hire both. I liked the electricity lesson. My dad has his electrician license.
Great science live lesson!
Hi from New York! wow, I didn’t know that’s how Morse code was invented!! A little bit sad but cool.
I meant to vote for both! They’re both awesome.
i love acellus live thank you for the opportunity for the roger billings schollarship
I’m glad to get to watch the lives.
Hello from North Carolina!!
I love R-51!
I think they both have a good way this telling people things.
First science live of the year can’t wait for more
Both are great.
Hi from Cape Cod! Caleb-yes David-yes. I thought todays lesson was very interesting.
I had learned about Tiny robots. Thomas Edison. Vacuum tube. Oscilloscope. I enjoyed it. Thanks!
Both are amazing.
I vote David
I really liked the science live tonight.
I vote for both!
I think Morse code is cool and that all Acellus students should learn it. And I vote both.
I vote David and I can’t wait for the conspiracy history class to start !!
I’m so excited for the new episode coming up next week!
Thank you for teaching me about the Edison Effect! Columbia SC
i LOVE science live!
Thank you for another interesting live!
They are both good! This Science Live was so cool!
I really enjoyed tonight’s episode! I am really exited to see what the conspiracy class has to offer if I am eligible for it.
Finished the video and I think both to be honest.
I’m so glad that science live is back! and I think you guys should hire them both.
Comment
I vote both. The light bulb effect was great.
I really can’t wait for the conspiracy history class to start!!!! I vote david!
Also, David and Caleb are my FAVORITE parts of science live.. LET THEM BOTH IN!
Both are good.
Did everyone have a fantastic day?
Hire both of them
I like how funny r51 is
Both!!
I liked David! The tiny robot was really fascinating!
I liked this lesson, I vote for both to carry on the legacy.
i love how they expland the diode and the edison effect and the ac and dc so both yes
Thank you Dr. Billings for this very cool and informational Science Live to kick the New Year off with a boom!!! Cameron really enjoy and had fun watching and learning from both Caleb and David!!! He can’t wait for next Wednesday video!
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍Definitely yes both of them!👍👍👍👍👍🤩🤩🤩🤩🥳🥳
David and Caleb were pretty neat for Science Live. I liked their segment about previous knowledge like the Edison effect.
I pick both your son and grandson.
David-Yes!😀 He does a lot of funny stuff! I mean, who puts fake grass on their back and hides, that is a good way to hunt for deer but that’s funny 😆.
Both are great, but I think David!
I liked them both! I enjoyed Caleb’s sense of humor and David seems like he would be a relatable person!
I vote David
DAVID
Both. No argue.
Both. Another inspiring live. I look forward to what is coming to Acellus!
Thanks for hosting science live! Love these.
I think both are great
Thank you for your time and effort you guys put into this every Wednesday appreciate it.
Morse code is cool!
Both of them!!!!!!
Both
I would vote for David.
Both are great! though I’m a little late here 😀
Thanks for the inspiration!
Both are great
I Vote Both!!