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 »
Yes to both!!!
Both David and Caleb are awesome at this all ready! 😀
David!!
I like having Caleb and David on science live I hope we can see more of them Caleb is really funny!
David yes
David yes
Both Caleb and david
David yes Caleb yes
caleb yes
R51 is so funny
david and caleb both
i voted both
caleb
Yes!! Caleb!!
Love both of them, Yes for both honestly
I think Caleb would be a good choice!
Cameron says YES for Caleb!!!!
both 👍
THEY ARE COOL! BOTH!
Yes for David
I like Caleb a lot, I love acting and stuff, and I love editing!~ <3
I vote Caleb!
Both, they’re great! That was a great demonstration!
Hello R-51, you haven’t changed a bit (even though that was just one year ago now)!
David and Caleb they are both great but I feel like they are better together
Yes for David and Caleb
Caleb yes
Caleb yes.
It would be cool to see David and Caleb work together more often on science live !
Caleb & David yes
I like both of them
I like both David and Caleb.
David yes Caleb yes
David and Caleb yes
Both!
DAVID!!!!
This is awesome 😎
hey
I’m voting for Caleb!
Both.
David: Yes
Caleb: Yes
Caleb yes
david yes calb yes
david
Caleb and David!!! Yes!!!
I like both!
I really like Caleb he’s funny
Both
I’m voting David yes, Caleb yes
Both Of them are my choice.
I like both
YES! R51, THE GOAT! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Caleb and David did great! I vote both!
Very interesting! I’ve never heard of rectifying a wave. Both Caleb and David are very smart!
caleb yes
David yes Caleb Yes
Having both David and Caleb would be cool. They both seem like they would make science live more exciting!
I like to hunt
Both they work good together and two always better than one
I would say both they work good ttogether
David – yes. Caleb – yes.🙂👍
They are both qualified and very smart
both are great
Both
Both Please!
Both of those guys are cool, but I think I’d choose Caleb. Also thanks for taking the time to do these live streams, Dr. Billings and Ms. Pajet!
i like both of them! They both seem really nice!
Both Yes
Caleb
calub
kaleb yes
david yes
Caleb
David was the best…
David Yes Caleb Yes
Its so hard to choose! If we cant have both, I’d have to say Caleb!
They’re both great!
I vote Caleb! hope everyone had a happy holidays
David
both
Awesome video!
David Yes
David!
caleb!!
Comment Both are fantastic! It’s impossible for me to choose!
i mean caleb yes
Both!!!!!
David :DD
david yes Caleb yes
David and Caleb yes!!!
Both
Yes for both😍
BOTH
Caleb Yes
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!