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 »
I love the tiny robot that MIT is working on. I didn’t know you could make a robot that small.
I love Acellus so much! I cannot put it into words how grateful I am for this program. It’s helped me so much for the past year or two.
This was so entertaining! I loved learning about the transistors and Henry Ford. Can’t wait for next week!
r51 is so chaotic
Hello from North Carolina. I knew a lot about Henry Ford before this video, but I never knew that he started making pocket watches before turning his attention to cars. How cool!
Twin Sisters was funny
This video was one of my favorite yet!!! They just keep getting better!!!
I really like the “You Ask, We Know it” show. It was pretty funny.
I can’t wait for the science fair this spring it sounds really exciting.
Hi Landen, I’m from Mississippi too! Love R51 he’s great! :):):)
I love R51!
I love David, Caleb, and R51 they are so funny!
Me and my dad watch and we love it this is amazing
I have family in Kansas City so maybe I can come to the Science Live!
The talk show with Caleb and David is super entertaining!!
I like how Dr. John was talking about how scientist made a little tiny robot. Dr. John had also said that the scientist are thinking of using this robot to search and save people.
Hello from Puerto Rico
Hello, what an interesting Science live, I love sharks and I am always eager to learn more,
I got a r51 ristband plus r51 is the best!
r51 with his twin sisters is so funny
Hello Dr Billings.
I liked the Transistors video on how it works. Very cool. The episode of( You ask it we know it ) is awesome. Area 51 -Twin sisters on the news was fun to watch. Thanks.
This was another interesting and fun live to watch! I can’t wait for next week’s!
I loved this science life! It was very fun learning about Transistors. I hope the next live is just as fun!
R51 made it on the news. 😉
Going to do research into those sharks. Sharks are so c cool. My favorite is the whale sheen, but that may change🤔
Can’t wait till the course on conspiracy theories is released!!!!
David and Caleb are hilarious! I loved the part about Henry Ford
I love science live ❤️!!
The biodegraded joke….I’m dying it was actually funny!
hello from Mississippi!
I like to see what R51 comes up with each week!
I’m imressed with whoever comes up with the little shows R51 does 🙂
I think transistors are cool
My dad used to use radios all the time!!
Keep on trying
What is the wing made of?
That bee bot was awesome.
It is amazing how every episode there is always something new. 🔭🔬🦠🧫🧪🧬⚗️👩🔬🧑🔬👨🔬🥼
cant wait for all the snow to come in!
Excited to learn more today!
It is interesting how the transistor works.
I love science live and find it really fascinating what I can learn from it each time I watch!
I love watching the lives .
I love what Tobas talked about today.
My favorite part was when he was listening to the radio then it shut off on him.
happy thursday! love science live video today
radios are cool!!
Does it cost to participate in Acellus World? If so, how much does it cost?
Love the show!
i love these videos
Caleb and David are so funny! Thanks for making my Thursday so awesome!
Happy thursday guys!!!
I love cats how about you?
The bug robots were so cool!
The flying robot was so cool when it was doing the flips!
That’s so cool. He got to work at the company
So good I love this 😁
Hi from Idaho, boise. How old are you Dr.B
Super cool video!
Amazing video!
fun stuff
wow!
Watching from FL still from a trip another amazing video
I liked the polar bear part.
awesome live!
Radios are very awesome sauce heh It’s pretty cool how radios became real
People could put a camera on the little flying robot and use them for animal documentaries
The Protégés are my new favorite!
I think it’s super fascinating that epaulette sharks, produce eggs without the increase of energy. I also thought the tiny robot was cool, and pretty fast. Henry seemed really smart, i didn’t really know he made the first carriage without a horse AND spending nine years to make a car? i have no words.
hello from the midwest
thats a pretty small drone
Love the video.
cool!
and it was cool how Henry ford never met Edison but worked for him and how when he finally met him Edison gave him enough recognition to fully commit to his design
Love It!
I love cats too
I love science live:)
Alex here from Arkansas, can’t wait to watch the episode!
It is pretty cool how Henry Ford was able to take something, that cost an arm and a leg, and make it affordable for nearly everyone.
Hi Dr. B,
Where do you find the information about the science fair? I really want to go.
I didn’t know that the MODEL T took 20 tries to make, but now I know.
Does transistor work with traffic light?
Hi im from alabama happy thursday
I love science live they’re interesting to watch
Science Live always teaches me something interesting!
The cars were very interesting when they first made them.
I love this video 🙂 🙂
Twin sisters, too funny!
I love cats too!
What materials are transistors made out of??
Wow I wonder what it was like to watch a show on the radio back then??
Hello from kentucky 😀
hi from Montana!
Love science live!!
I enjoyed learning about Henry Ford and how he made an affordable car for people.
thanks for the science live
Scince live is my favorte part of the week.
My Dad is a Ford fanatic so learning more about Henry Ford was interesting.
What a cool story about Edison and Ford.
I loved this video
Who is Henry ford?
I really enjoyed this science live!
cars are cool
This is cool!
I loved hearing about the radios! I would love to learn more about it!
I love science live!
Happy Thursday!! Radios are awesome
What are the dimensions of this new robot people are making?
Happy Thursday yall! I loved this live, definitely can’t wait for the next one
I Love Science live!
Our first time watching the science video, already looking forward to next weeks!
the transistor radio was very interesting
It was cool!
loved this one cant wait for next week
Emma here from West Virginia!!!
Polar bears have black skin
I think it’s cool that those small flying robots fly as fast as a bumblebee and how it’s able to flip over 10 times in only 11 seconds. I also really liked learning about how Henry Ford worked for the Edison Company and made a quadricycle and explained his invention to Thomas Edison.
Henry Ford got hired by the Edison Company and got promoted to a higher position. He built a car (horseless carriage).
Great Video!
Thank you
Thank you for the video!
love science live
great thank you
i love listening to radios