Transistors
January 21, 2026 • EPISODE 294
What is a transistor and why is it important? In this episode of Science LIVE, Dr. Roger Billings explores how transistors control electric current, replaced bulky vacuum tubes, and made modern electronics possible—from radios to computers and smartphones. The episode also features a tiny bug-like robot developed by MIT and the fascinating story of Henry Ford and how Thomas Edison influenced the development of the automobile.
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 »
Do it Do it film other one. please
Thank you!!
Yes
Yeah, do it!
can she do one for loving yourself I know that some people struggle with it
Very interesting!
Hi from Nebraska!
please do it lady pagin
DO THE NEXT SOCIAL EMOTIONAL PLEASE!
Yes Please film another course
it is amazing
please do another social emotional
Will Elvis Presley be coming back to Acellus world?
Make another course! And put the book in the gold shop please! 👍🏼
I would like Emontional Intelligence 2
YESSSSS TO THE PAJET COURSE!!!!!!!!!!!
NEW CLASS!!!!
YES I AGREE!!!
Yes please do another one!
make another course
You have to Miss Pajet!
Lady Page Monet, PLEASE MAKE A NEW COURSE
yesssss do it we need another Page Monet course
Yes I love her classes!
Have a great evening!
yes either would be great . Her course was great
Yes please another course! Her voice is so soothing.
so how and where do i sign up and yes to the second emotional class
I agree
I think emotional intelligence would be interesting.
Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes
Make more social emotional!
Hello from Binghamton.
this is very interesting
DO ANTHOR COURSE!
Yes
I want to come!
It was amazing this week.
Another One!!
i love this
Cool
do it. I dare you.
Another one!!!
yes
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes, yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
I’m always so excited for our weekly episodes!
I would love for Pajet to do another Social Emotional course
please film another one!!! I love SEL!!
I want Pajet to make a new one too!!!
yes please!
yes
film another one!!!
please do that
YEEES! YES PLEASE!
Yes please
So cool!
Yes yes yes yes
How long is Acellus world going to last
I love acellus
Thank you Dr. Billings!
i love this!!!
So proud of all the graduates!
I love science live
hi
This is super interesting!!!
r51 r51 r51 r51 r51
Hello from Virginia!
my fist time in home school this fun.
When will it be released
Very great video.
in my opinoin its supprising that henry fords hero was Thomas edison
Hi everybody!
I’m very excited for this course!
WOW!!!!!!!!!! This is so cool
I am absolutely speechless that the course finally has a submission date!!!!
cool video
hi from florida
This is cool
Love science live
hello from tennessee !!
hey I wanted to bring some things I made.
I cannot wait to attend a graduation
great episode tonight! from GA
LOVE!!!!!
Watching from Kentucky!!
Hi from Indiana
love the live
cool
Hello from South Dakota!
COOL
I think I graduate in 2027!
Thank you for this I learned something new
Science is awesome!!
Was awesome to learn about Ford. I liked learning about the transistor, they make learning engaging.
Hello from Texas
we loved you ask it, we know it!
thanks.
Comment
This is so interesting! Hi from Illinois
hello from mississippi!
The transistor radio talk today was neat!
I would love to attend a science live!!
The Science Live this year keeps getting better and better! I’m loving all of the unique new content. Transistors were very interesting to learn about too.
It’s always funny and nice and cool to watch this :)))
I thought the little flying robot was really cool!
Comment, I enjoy the talked about the radio and the first home telephones.
The fact you make the Acellus Gold store items right there makes them even more special!
Dr B do you have a patent?
Science live makes me have so many questions that my mom calls me curious bug haha I wonder how rubber affects electricity
Good evening everyone
i enjoy these every time!
Hi from Indy!
One thing I didn’t know was that polar bears skin is black.
How do I sign up to go?
Can you register to go to Acellus World, even if you live in another state?
I love r51
I love science live
I love the store!
thank you Dr Roger Billings for such an amazing live.
How do I sign up for that?
I would like to thank pajet for soicial emotional class It has helped me so much
Thank you so much for Science Live, I’ve learned so much!
working with transistors sound cool!
Hello
I love science
When is the Acellus Factory Tour?
I am so looking forward to seeing the acellus world and seeing how your fair can teach others !!
Was interesting and pretty cool to learn about the transistor.
Love these!
This is so cool!!!
I actually found the bit about Ford pretty interesting!
They did a great job of explaining the transistor with their video. They make it fun!
How can a semiconductor sometimes let electricity flow and sometimes block it?
I love science live!!
Was a transistor more affordable than a radio with a vacuum tube
Nevada here!
Hello from Hawaii!!!!!!!!
hello from michigan
Nice!
North Carolina here!!!!
My radio will be completed with a transistor!
I enjoyed this live! I like how people use the same existing inventions and then find ways to improve them, making them great innovations, can’t wait for the next live!
Excellent information
joe from new york
I found the Henry Ford story very interesting!
I enjoyed listening to Dr. Billings talk about how computers work back then.
So cool!! I love science live
I need more of You Ask It We Know It!!!
hi hello hi I’m from ND
Hello from Georgia
cool guys
Hi from Tennessee
Love watching these videos
their funny
I agree with you guys better come here every Wednesday you learn a lot from these lives thank you
Science live more like science LOVE!
I really enjoyed the part about germanium and electricity.
hi
Dr Billings is really funny and I think he has strong genes.
thank you proteges!
Happy Wednesday from the hockey rink in SLC Utah!!
Cool
I enjoyed the discusion
Hello again, and thank you for another great science live! -ARIA
I never knew how many people Edison inspired!
Thank goodness for the transistor.
Hey from Tennessee.
Hi from OH!
How exactly does electricity make semi-conductors work?
Hi from New York
Amazing!
wow this is so cool!!!
North Carolina here!!
Wow i do love doing this!
Hey from Maryland
i love science live so much and i love learning science
So cool!! I love science live
Hi From Cali