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 »
So far I really love this live!
how did they get the micro processers so small?
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hello! enjoying science live alot
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happy Wednesday
I’m so excited for tonight
Do you think AI mental health services will help make mental help more accessible and maybe even better throughout the world?
hey everyone hope all is well.
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Hi from Missouri!
hi from ga
always looking forward to watching these lives!
I’m here
How long did Mr. Leer make radios, and how much would $ he make a year for them?
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HYDROGEN!!!!!
I like science
south carolina here like when he talks about a transistor radio
I love science live
coooooooooolllllllllllllllll
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Hello everyone happy new year how will Artificial Intelligence affect our lives in good and bad ways or scenarios
I always learn so much facts from the science live! Hello from NY!
hello from Wisconsin!
this is so far a great vid
HEYY another great science live HELLO FROM NEW MEXICO
Hi
so while apple made pong you made the first recognizable laptop computers? super cool!
The microprocessors amaze me!
I think that is so cool
Heyy
Love it!
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I like this live.
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that’s very interesting 🤔
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Hello from Maryland 1 question I have is, what safety features were added if any were included in the original Model T?
Hi from TN!
15 million model T’s produced is an insane amount of cars.
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hiii from illinois
Hello from Wisconsin.
what was your factory called
hi from Wyoming 🦬
So cool!!
hello!
what do you guys think about grok I’d like to see y’all do a episode about it and other AI’s.
I love these videos there so cool
this is interesting
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hii!!
Ello so glad and happy about this live.
Hi everyone! I enjoy these lives every week!
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Hey from Texas!
hello from Massachusetts
hi from ny
Awesome!!!!!1
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hi from Georgia🖐😁
wow
I love science live cant wait for more next week!
I love science life
my little sisters are watching with me they are 5 and 4 and love it!!!!!
Its crazy how far technology has come.
I’ve never heard of file servers before! That’s cool!
love these
this is amazing so far
Hi everyone!
I enjoy how DrB is always interesting to listen to. He gives a lot of details and explains things clearly. Such as inventions!
Great video guys!
Hi
I love your tie, Dr. Billings.
Hello from Wisconsin!
hi from Wisconsin!
Hello from Montana
I love science live !
Howdy from Texas!
Hello from Louisiana!
It sounds like you guys know everything. I wish I was that smart!
Hello from the Bahamas,
The history of the Ford Model T was very interesting and it shows me how dedication can really pay off.
Building a factory sounds neat!
Love this video.
Hello from Montana
Roger Billings kickstarted the Internet?! What next, he invented sliced bread? Just plain impressive stuff.
hiiiiii to everyone in science live!!!!! And i think its so cool how much Dr. R has accomplished in his life and how much he’s still accomplishing right now!!!
Thank you for teaching us again Dr. Billings.
Hi from Georgia 🫡
I love these lives!
Hey from Texas
microprocessors still amaze me on how small they are
Hey from florida
It amazes me how inventors are so dedicated to their work that they spend years on it, such as Henry Ford spending nearly 19 years on the Ford Model T.
Very smart to use mass production to make a lot of cars to sell so you can make a lot of money since your product is a great deal.
Hi all!!
hi
Comment* hello from Chicago !
Wow I love live
Here from North Carolina!
Helloo!! Really enjoying all the info this science live!
Cool!
I wonder what ford would think of today’s cars and process on how it’s built. How cool he started it.
When was the first microprosseser made and who made it?
he sold over 15 million! That is insane
Science live is fun I really enjoy watching it
He made a lot of cars
I can’t believe it took nine years to build the Ford car!
Hi. Dr . billings i like your live show
Hi
Thank you so much for such great information!
Hello from Nevada!
I love the science lives!!
hiii
hi
The Edison/Billings connection is super cool!
Hello from georgia
Hello from mo. I really like the intro to life science class
Checking in from TX!
Dr John’s part about the little flying robot was really cool
hey from NY.
Excellent story telling. Everybody already knows Ford’s story, but I was still listening to find out what happens!
thanks for having me
How do they give the robot instructions?
hello from wyoming
Hello
hello from CT!!
hi from ohio
I love learning about ford, the model T is what started it off.
my fav teacherrrrrrrrrrrrrrr lady pajet
Love the video!!
Watching from Georgia
hello from Nevada
Mr Tobias, again with the amazing tie! Also inspiring talk on Henry Ford.
I can’t imagine how Bill lear and Dr. B felt when they saw their Mentor!! So Bill Lear Getting mentored by Thomas Edison and Dr. B getting Mentored by Bill Lear!!!
how did they make so many cars
That is so cool & interesting how Thomas Edison, Bill Lear, and Roger Billings are connected. Then how the invention of the assembly line was created.
The fact Dr. Billings made his father’s car a hydrogen one is really interesting, I always loved that fact.
How Dr.Edmond’s conspiracy course coming along?
Acellus is one of the best schools i have ever been.
Hello.
Great video
hello
Hi from Kentucky
Hii
Wow! I thought I knew the Henry Ford story, that was interesting.
hi
who knew henry was inspired by thomas
So excited Drb I want to see what’s today
cool!
How many cars did they make?
ive been waiting all week for this and ill say im not disappointed
I wonder about the history of hydrogen cars now.
Watching from puerto rico
Could you adapt the tiny robots to be built on an assembly line and then have them work in groups like bees to do better projects?
thank you
I enjoyed Dr. Tobias’ lecture about how Henry Ford took the idea of making an affordable pocket watch to make the Ford car.
It was so interesting
Cars are super cool! I love cars!
present
hello from missouri! i love learning with acellus and science live!
Welcome Dr. Roger Billings
Good evening!
hello from ny
When I think about how inventions come about, I find it hard how people come up with different ideas. Now I realize that it is okay to take inspiration from others with more experience!
I think its so cool that a lot of inventioners cross paths with each other!!
love science live
Hello
Love the Model T……thanks for the inspiration!
hello Dr. Billings
Hello from mo. I really like the epic moments in world history class
I wonder how small you could theoretically make technology.
I like the science so much!
My great grandad had a car from 1913.
how many country’s used the cars?
hey from tennessee