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 »
Caleb here canidate2 yes.
I think what Caleb does is really cool! I like the green screen effects.
love the lives
Hi from texas
I really like Caleb so he got my vote 👍
Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday break! Happy to be back watching science lives.
David
Kaleb should audition to be Flynn Rider for Disney and the Tangled Remake!
I vote for Caleb
Does this mean that David is Caleb’s dad?
i vote David!!!! he’s hilarious and i like recording.
I play guitar too! Number 2!
I love them keep them because I love dave’s story!!!
I really like Caleb he’s so creative and I think he’d be perfect with all his tallents
Calab!
I have a question for David
What does it mean to you when you play the guitar?
I like them both.
Both!
Caleb and David
funny!!
I like calab
David is so fun! Can’t wait for next week.
Yes 👍to both of them.
i like caleb 🙂
How do I get one of those guitars?
I love Acellus
I love David and Caleb and listening to them
So excited
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Hi from WV, David I like to hunt too!
GUYS I LOVE CALEB HE SEEMS SO FUNNY! im keepng him lol
Both! David and Caleb!
David!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
David
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caleb
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It’s so cool how there related
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Wow david
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def Caleb
Thank for this live!
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I agree. I feel like caleb probably could act really well hes pretty funny
DAVID IS AWESOME!!!
yessss vote him!!!!
Hi from TN, i really like the morse code.
Great live
I like hunting to and sports
Yes,these two canids are the ones
Hi!! David so funny
Mackenzee logged in.
I love david!
David is funny 🤣🤭
Hello
Hello
Hello from Florida.
Hi from tucumcari
David
Hello from Kentucky!
How is David billings
Hey! From NY!
I like the personal stories from david and caleb
this was an awsome live.
yeasss
Happy New Year! I love sports too!
It’s nice to meet y’all!
Hurray for David
So excited Science Live is back!
I have a question for David
What is your favorite part about hunting?
Really good episode, enjoyed a lot.
Hello from Springfield MO!
I approve of caleb
Is David Billings Roger Billings son?
hello from Alabama! my favorite part is Ar51
hi I love history and science
Hello I’m Sa’nyla from North Carolina
David billngs
Hi, from North Texas! Perfect weather here today!
i love hunting
Never mind I like both
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
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I like him. 🙂
Hello from Mississippi!!!
Hi from Maine!
Hello from Montana
Is David Roger Billings son?
Daivd.
Hi
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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!!!!! ;[ ;]
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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!