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 »
Both
Both amazing people
Caleb yes.
David Yes Caleb Yes
I love them both very nice
David yes Caleb yes
David yes and Caleb yes
David yes
Both
both
Davideeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
David yes
David : Yes
David
David yes
I am NOT picking one over the other. Can’t we just have both? I mean they seem so nice and gentlemanly?? I can go on. BOTHH
I like both of them but my favorite is Caleb, I like you too David
yes 2
yes yes yes yes yes
David cause he kinda like a country boy and smart!!
Both
celeb!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Caleb!!!!
Kyleigh really enjoyed today Science LIVE video especially with Caleb and David activity such a great team!! Kyleigh can’t wait to watch and see what in store for next Wednesday Science Live video!!
”WELL HELLO GUYS-” Why is that so funny for some reason.
Have a team and bring in more!
David yes
They make a great team
david
I like both of them!!
Can’t you do both
Calleb!!
Yes to both
Caleb yes
caleb yes
David yes Caleb yes
Both
Both!
they’re both good
Caleb and David. I choose both. 🙂
David Yes Caleb Yes
I liked Caleb more! David was good but I felt like Caleb stood out more!
Caleb
Either
I like David and Caleb because they make a great team together.
Both!
David 100%
Caleb – yes
I vote for david
I vote David.
both
I believe they would be a good fit, personally. The video was easy to understand because it laid out the key aspects that were needed to understand. The video also had a visual representation of what was discussed.
they both are great!
David yes Caleb Yes
BOTH!!
Both!!!
Caleb
Both
DAVID HAS AN AWESOME BEARD, TEAM DAVID YES✊
David was awesome – YES
David and Caleb yes
awesome!!!
very cool how Caleb and David did the presentation explaining
Both
David and Caleb are so funny!
Calebb
I vote David
Caleb
It’s so great to have Science Live back! I hope everyone had an amazing holiday. And honestly, both David and Caleb are phenomenal candidates!
Both Caleb and David won this.
Even if they weren’t blood related, I would still love them as new proteges
100% caleb
I like them both haha
I vote caleb!
I voted David.
I think both should participate, they’re both very informative and intelligent! Also it’s cool to hear how Dr. Billings’s family members are interested in science like he is.
i like david he is cool
I vote Caleb AND David!!!!
They’re both great, I don’t know who to vote for.
I liked both of them
voted for david
Calebbb!!!!
Caleb!
Haha this live is so interesting and fun i really think you should have your grandson back more!!
I think they make a great team
caleb!!!!
Both David and Caleb are really cool hard to choose because i like them both.
I voted both David and Caleb because they make a great team
both david and caleb are both amazing making it a very hard decision but i finally decided Caleb if we cant have both.
i like them both we can keep them
they are so goofy this is now my favorite science live
I can see the future chaos with these two 😂
Wow!! Dr.Billings has a very smart family. I want to be smart like the when I grow up!
I like both of them
Caleb has my vote
Caleb
that was like the perfect dap up
David easy
david is cool
So much cool info. David and Caleb got so much interesting things to share with us. Im happy to learn all of that. Thank you for teaching about Edison Effect.
david has a way of speaking that i’m interested in hearing what he has to say.
Both!
I pick David but I love both of them. Happy 2026 everyone!!!
David for sure!!
caleb won my vote in the first 30 seconds!
I don’t really know who to pick David or Caleb. But if I had to pick I would pick David.
I love the film chemistry between them. David is really chill and good at explaining and Caleb is very silly! I love them both! Please keep them both!!
David
Caleb
David
Wonderful live!!!!
“I like them both!”
(Typed by mom)
David for the win!
I like David!
David is the best
I think that Caleb is good at making the science fun to learn
We need BOTH proteges!!!! I vote for David & Caleb! They can work together to help us understand in a fun way. Good luck guys!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂
I would definitely sign up for a course taught by Caleb!
David!
Calebbbb
Calebbb or both david and Caleb!
I’m gonna go with Caleb but both of them are really cool. So happy lives are back.
Who all votes 🗳️ for David comment on mine so I can know you chose David.
I chose david
Caleb 100% has my vote!
I think it’s awesome that he has a grandson that wants to be an actor someday! What a fun and exciting career to want to pursue.
Thank you for introducing for son and grandson to us today. They seem cool.
Haha! This is great. I think they are a great TEAM
I voted David because I have a electric guitar!
Caleb has my vote. #1 !!
What do people use Morse code for today? And I vote for David
i think both David and Caleb should both do it because they both did well explaining their jobs and their hobbies
David is the best
Great chemistry between David and Caleb. I vote keep them both.
They’re both so fun! I think it’s fair if they both participate.
I agree with you 100%.
why carbon filament for the lightbulb?
this is so amazing!
Claire Centerville Tn. Thank you for the video
Happy new years!
I found this insanely cool! Thank you Dr. Roger Billings.
I like both of them!
Very cool!
Caleb should audition for Flynn Rider in the Tangled Remake!!!
OH MY GOSH YOUR RIGHT. LOL!
Where did Edison get this idea from?
CALEB IS LOOKING SO GOOD
Hi you two!
This was very interesting to watch, keep up the amazing work; have an amazing day! 🙂
I vote for David billings because he knows how to work with a team .
I like Daveid the best.
I would choose Caleb because I myself am not much of a scientist but i do enjoy learning about it. Also I have been writing music and singing since i was a baby. And he is really funny.
hi from Nova Scotia. Thats so cool that caleb and david are both related to R
Comment I like the video of Caleb.
david
My vote is for David.
david
It is really cool your son and grandson are following in your footsteps. I like the fact you took your grandson to buy his first guitar to inspire him to follow his dreams and goals
I like Caleb
Very nice presentation. They’ll do just fine.
Caleb gets my vote!
WOW! That’s so cool meeting Dr. Roger Billing’s Son and Favorite* Grandson!
David should be selected
david
I enjoyed watching today.
david
Still voting both!
l like the second one
Comment * David is so funny!
CALEB IS THE BEST GRANDSON!!!!111!!1!!!1!!!!
I think both of them should do it
David
Nice to meet you guys!~
I didn’t know they were related to you!
David is chill
Happy New Year!
I love sports too!
hi
Hello there!
You guys have come so far
todays science live is interesting
Caleb
So happy to have the lives back!
Thank you for the video tonight.
today is the day
Saying GOOD evening from Oregon
David!
Thanks
I choose David
Hiii
David