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 think it’s really cool that he came up with the codes that each letter stood for with the combination of dots and lines.
Hi from Tennessee! Happy new year science live!
Hi, from IL! I love what Tobias shares. I always love to hear the history stories. Let’s go!
This is very interesting
Hi from Texas!
hi
Is the telegraph using morse code?
What made him first start making his hydrogen cars?
I recently read that the “Find my iPhone” sound is “question mark” in Morse code.
Should I ever drive, I’m wanting a hydrogen car.
Hello from Idaho!
Hello Dr. John; is it possible that these fascinating, miniature robots can be used in team in the future for fixing submersible vehicles while at sea or even rockets while they are gliding through the cosmos without human intervention?
Hii from Wilson NC! Is there an AP class for science as well?
hey
Hellooo from Wisconsin!
that was such a cool story!
Do peple still use morse code?
Hi, from VA
Did not relize that the Morse Code started using paper and then turned into them just using sound.
From Alabama
Happy New Year Science Live!
WOW, that’s cool!!!
How long did Mr. Morse take to make that system?
hi from texas
Hi from Washington state!
The small robots are insane
Amazing Live!
Hi Emma from SC! This is the best podcast.
Hi from Florida!!! I love the show!
Hello this episode was so funny can’t wait for next week
Happy new year from GA! <3
Samuel Morse must have been really clever.
hi from arizona!
Hello from Northern California, I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday
Hi from Clarksville, TN
Hi from California
from ks
The information for the telegraph is very interesting. I had never heard how the system came about,
cool video
Hello from va
Morse Code and telegraph operating is amazing! 😍🤩
Is morse code only used in the Army and other branches?
is the message he wrote in any museums
hello from Illinois guys and girls
hi from tx
Comment Hello from Missouri
hello from Georgia
I love it so cool
Morse code is an incredibly useful language my grandpa taught me it when I was quite young so I’ve forgotten the bulk of it.
Thanks
Hello from NC!
How long did it take to invent Morse code?
I missed Science live 🙂 <3
This is all interesting honestly I never knew this
hello from North Dakota
How long did it take to get the telegram?
hi
hi
Great episode!!
Hello from Colorado!
Hi from Alabama! Cool live! 😁😁😁😁🍕🍕
Hello from Virginia everyone
Hello from Kentucky
Hello from Indiana
Awesome 😎
Hello from Mississippi
This is really cool I love doing art and its great to hear stuff about how art can be turned into something useful around the world
howdy from Tennessee
what’s the painting called?
I can’t believe a robot can be that small!
hi from NJ, and I’m LUCY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi from Kansas City Missouri!
Good evening all
hey
That’s pretty cool.
It’s amazing how far communication technology has come!
finally science live is back I missed it also that’s a nice painting
The story about Anastasia is so motivating!
Is this how text messages started?
wow that robot was so small, very cool
Hi, my first time watching! How long do these usually last?
hi from kentucky
soo cool
I hope everyone at the Science Live Studio had a great Christmas and a happy New Year!
Helloooooo
I am glad we are back
Hi, from Florida.
i’m a artist to!
hello from nj
Is this where braille came from?
Hello from Connecticut!
That’s cool
Mose code is so interesting!
It’s very interesting to see how science and all aspects of it evolve over time!
Happy New Year!
What is that painting of paintings called? That looks cool
Comment What are the names of those paintings?
hi
Hi from Virginia!
wow that is crazy
Hello from Nevada!
cool stuff!!
this is cool
Hello 👋
Hello, how was Christmas break. I had so much fun!
Happy new year everyone!
so cool
How do you Build that small of a robot?
Happy New Years everyone!
thats smart
the robot was so small
I love that painting!
Hello! From Virginia!
is this how they started morse code?
hi science is so cool
Comment: the painting looks pretty cool and so does the tiny robot
Hello From Arkansas
What is that painting of paintings called? That looks cool
hello
Hi, from Florida.
I love paintings!
Could the microbots target infections in the human body?
Hello from Kentucky!
Hello from Ohio!!!!
I want to paint like that because its so cool!
Hi from South Dakota!!
The tiny robot is so cool and its a great idea.
that’s actually really cool
Samuel Morse was a artist before becoming a scientist
cool
How interesting!
HIIIII from NCCCC
I finally got to see it live for the first time 🎉
Hello from Nebraska.
That is so sad that he didn’t find out until a few days later that his wife died.
Hello, from Long Beach, this is cool!
cant wait for next live
happy new years
It’s so interesting to see how far tech as come
Hey, from South Carolina
That’s a very cool painting
that’s so cool! very inspiring.
Hey From Kansas!
That’s cool I didn’t know that robots can be that small
what time period was Samuel in when he received the letter?
i learned about the pony express today!
I love science!
I think a lot of ideas and inventions are motivated by drastic circumstances.
Hello there!
thanks
this is ivy from Cheny WA
How many paintings did this person create, sorry I do not remember the name
Samuel Morse was a artist before becoming a scientist.
Samuel Morse has always interested me. His invention of morse code is incredible and changed the lives of so many people.
hi from mississippi
Wow!
hi from florida
I wonder how those robots will be used in the future with building?
great I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Really interseting robots but the concept is pretty cool!
this is cool
telegraph?
I love this info
Hello from VA
Hi everyone!
Love science live!
I think it is cool that you can make a robot. That’s super cool.
That is so cool!
super cool!!
hi i’m watching
happy new year.
i love science live
I am wondering how can the self portraits come out good?
Books are cool
How long does it take to make these these microscopic robots?
I love this stuff
the robot is so small, but is there a way to make it even smaller?
Dr. John’s presentation about the tiny robot was awesome!
Hope 2026 is awesome for everyone!