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 »

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6,224 Comments

  1. Opal

    happy new year! from TN

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  2. Briley

    That’s cool about the drone flying into a tornado but wouldn’t it get destroyed?

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  3. Alexander

    What was your favorite thing about 2025

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  4. Jaelyn

    Hi everyone! from L.A.

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  5. Mykal

    Happy new year! I hope you guys keep thinking of great ideas for Acellus in 2026. Have a great day from Myka.

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    Hi from GA!!

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    hi

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    Hi

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    Hi from Mississippi!

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  10. Timothy

    Howdy from texas and happy new year everyone im so excited to be back for another year of science live with Dr. Roger Billings

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  11. Kemberlynn

    Comment* Let’s go first science live of 2026!!!

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  12. Tenleigh

    checking in from North Carolina

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    Hello from WV!!

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  14. Briana

    *here from texas! so excited these are back.

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  15. Michael

    hi Michael from ny

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  16. Remington

    It’s very interesting that anastesias design can save people’s life’s

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    Hello From Las Vegas

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    Hello from mo. Can’t wait for this week’s episode 😍

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  30. Francisco

    Happy New Years everyone! 1st live stream of the year!!!

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  31. Gwenna

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  38. Annistyn

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    Happy New Year!! hope everyone had a good christmas!

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    hi and happy new year

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  42. Randa

    Happy New Year thank you for science live and always being inspirational looking forward to watching science live again. Acellus is the best school and I always learn so much . Thank you for this school.

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  50. Aleika

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  51. Abiella

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  53. Zen

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  54. Mason

    Plants can also help produce more clean air.

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  55. Hunter

    Hi from Kentucky!

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  56. Alyanna

    Happy New Years!

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  57. Makayla

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  59. Hayden

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  60. Landon

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  62. Callie

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    Hello everyone

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    Happy New Years Science Live!

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  68. Aaliyah

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  70. Jedriel

    First live of the year!

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  71. Skyler

    What are AP classes

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    Hello from Nc! happy new years, i am excited to learn more this year!

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  75. Addyson

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  85. Aiden

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  86. Braxton

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  88. Ronson

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  91. Jasper

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    Hello!

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  98. Kaylee

    Hii guys so excited to hear what we are going to learn about tonight!*

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    hi from North Dakota

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  101. Anastacia

    My name is anastasia and I started Acellus in 9th

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  102. Camilla

    Camilla from Texas! 2026!

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  108. Aadil

    i love this

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    from texas

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    hey

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    Comment Happy New Year!

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    Happy New Year!! Hi from Texas!

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  135. Timothy

    cant wait from ri

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  136. Haley

    Hi from NH!

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  137. Noraa

    Happy new year from Chicago!!

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  138. Jackson

    Happy New Year!! Watch planets breathe??? Wow! Interesting!

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  139. Roger

    cool

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  140. Valentina

    Thank you for the information about plants. It was helpful.

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    • Psalm

      Hey everyone

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    • Piper

      Hello everybody and happy new year. Science live has helped me learn things I never knew before, and I learn new things every wednesday night. Today I was learning about the light bulb and how they work, and that was really interesting.

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    Happy New Years! So excited for all this year’s coming Science Lives!

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    Hi all!

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    Happy New Year!

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    Hi from KC

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    Happy New Year! Very cool to hear about being able to watch plants breathe!!

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    Happy New Years Science Live

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    Hello from New York

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    Hi!

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    Hi from South Dakota

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  150. Jessica

    Welcome back! Happy New Year!

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  151. Jackson

    its my first day!

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  152. Kaleah

    helloooo

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  153. Quriah

    good evening!!

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  154. Matthew

    Happy 2026 to everyone at acellus. I hope this year is as great as the last!

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  155. Gracie

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    Happy new years! From California

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    hi from ct

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    good night everyone!

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    Mark from Tn

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    First live of the year! hello from NC

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    Hello! Happy New Year and I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and Winter break!

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