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 »
Hi from Ecuador!
My man really turned the loss of his wife into the invention of Morse code. Good for him.
The tiny robot is amazing
why do we do this every wednesday
Here from texas
that’s amazing
Hi drb
What is up my guy i love science
Hi this is Olivia from Massachusetts! I love SCIENCE LIVE!
hi!
Very interesting, cant wait to learn about it more.
Happy New Year !
Hi from texas!!!
i enjoy learning from these live’s
I love science live! Thank you!
Hello love the show!
Morse code is so cool!!!
Hello from NJ!!
hello from las vegas
Ryder coming in from Florida watching this week’s video so excited
A lot of detail went into those paintings, they’re breath taking.🖤
wow that’s really cool!!
Hope everyone had a great Christmas and New year, Happy Wednesday
Dr. Pajets Smile made me Smile, So Pajet your Smile is Contagious!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀
great video!
here!
I wonder how Hydrogen cars would play out in the first few days of them being released into the public
Hello!! and Happy New Year!!
Hello from Nebraska
any news on the hydrogen well?
Happy New Year!
hi
Can’t wait to watch!
Hello from Florida
hi
It would be so fascinating to see the first telegram being sent!!
i’m so excited to be joining acellus!
The code letter coordination is very interesting Im going to independently research that!
what was furthest telegraph used or did they transfer from city to city.
That’s really cool, I never knew that about Morse Code.
Dr John rocks, And he is my Teacher
What is the new topic!!
Happy New year from New Mexico!
Look how pretty you look Pajet, I have to say that I love you wardrobe, like every outfit.
I love your coat Pajet!
Science is a mystery and amazing!
This is very intersting!
Does the symbol / in Morse mean a separation of the different letters?
Hello from Chicago.
Happy New Year.
A great livestream as always!
BILLINGS
neat
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!
Will the microscopic robot be able to study single-celled organisms?
I love yall so much! These are the best programs i have ever watched!
Hello!
What are the nano robots going to be used for?
hello im from texas
hi!
I enjoyed Dr. Tobias’ lecture about how Samuel Morse invented the telegram and morse code.
I wish everyone could use hydrogen cars
Hi from VA!
First Science Live of the year!!
How are you at Science Live?
I love Pajet’s coat. It’s very pretty
Hi from Arkansas. I learned so much about Samuel Morse. Very interesting!
Happy 2026 I love your out fit
wow so cool
ive always wanted to learn Morse code
is it possible to make hydrogen fueled airplanes?
i love science live so much, i cant wait for next weeks video!!
Hey evb!
My favorite part is the technology spotlight!
The invention of Morse code is interesting!
Happy new school year!
First live of 2026!
Great live!
Excited to learn this week! Always fun to see what they put together.
We missed you R!
morse code story is cool
the paintings from them always caught my eye
I have a question for Dr.B
How long did it take to make the first hydrogen car?
Hi and hello from Tampa/florida
Hi from Colorado!
cool!
Hi from Arizona, also!
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