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 »
DUDE DR.B IS HIS DAD! LETS GO DUDE! WHOOOOP!
Hello, where did you find that bow for purchase, it looks very cool
HE JUST APPEARED
I was wondering if you were related because of the last name!
The live is an hour but it feels like two minutes :[:]
David is cool
I love David!! Bro likes everything I like!!!
thats so cool that they are related
Hello from New York!!!!
WOW!!!
I love working together! Hello from Texas by the way!
I like david
WHAT????
Same eyes haha
love the live!
You are my favorite teacher Dr. Pajet Monet!! i love all the other teachers too!!
Is David Billings your son?
is David related to you Dr. Roger Billings?
Billings? Is David your grandson?
It is great to see you in 2026. I am excited to get to know successful David.
Hello Caleb and David nice to meet you
Hi from Honduras!
I like him. 🙂
Hello from Mississippi!!!
Hi from Maine!
Hello from Montana
Is David Roger Billings son?
Daivd.
Hi
hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Science is so fun!!
I love both.
Another amazing episode!!
Hi David and Caleb
I can’t believe the live is almost over, love it to much!!!!! ;[ ;]
i like dr Roger billings
happy new year from omaha nebraska
This is fun
i really like this video
Hello from Spokane, WA,:) 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Amazing video!
Hello David and Caleb! (I am really sorry if I spelled the latter’s name wrong, if I got the names right, that is nice.)
I never knew that a robot could be that tiny. I can’t believe the things it can do at the size of it.
This is too cool, I am happy these lives are back on.
great show!
hello! this is my first week on acellus and i love it!
hello.
I like Acellus
hiiiiii from tenneesee
Great live! I hope everybody had a great Christmas and new year’s!
I’M in
hey
Hi from cali
Hello From Illinois!
happy new year
How long did it take for the message to be send?
Love the interesting conversation that’s what I come for!
Hello there, from Nebraska!
Hi Caleb and David 🙂
I,m liking this week’s science live so far.
Hi from texas
I’ m here
Hello from MS!
You’re so right, Dr. Billings! The scientific method is useful in every aspect of our lives.
HAPPY NEW YEAR THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING!!!
Hello from Texas!
I love science live and physics I really like the math that you put in it
Do they still use Morse code today?
Hi from Illinois! Did not know Samuel Morse was a painter. Very cool
Hello from Texas Hiiiiiiiii
hi from florida
What would be better? Electric cars or Hydrogen cars?
Hello from Alabama
I love science live !!
Hello from New York! happy new year science live. How hard was making Acellus? why is it called that!?
Hello from Mississippi
hey, Jace from Fairfax county Virginia here.
woo hoo
So exicted!
I wonder what goofy thing R-51 is going to be doing in the big 2026 this time.
What is the most powerful transistor ever invented?
Hello from Connecticut!
Hi from Illinois! Happy New Year!
When will the hydrogen cars be for sale?
watching from bentonville arkansas
Cool!
Thank you!
Morse code sounds so cool!
Howdy from Texas!!
I was unaware that the word protege was french, loan words are so interesting!
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!