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 »
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
Henry starts learning how to build a car and decided to improve the design and look.
Hope everyone stays safe in this weather. Excited for science live.
awesome video. I love science.
Loved this video!!
I like this video
Transistor is a fun word to say
this one was so cool!
loved this video
Thanks for the video!
Who found out about transistors?
love the video!!!!
that is awesome!
wow I never knew that thos kind of sharks were a thing
Loved this episode ❤️
I Really love these videos.
I love radios; I have my own handheld radio.
awesome video!
The radios are so cool!
Interesting class!
Loved learning about radios this Live!
This episode was amazing, can’t wait for the next!
R51 is hilarious!
Yeah my great grandfather used to talk about them a lot. Very interesting!
I really like these science lives!!!!!
hi, this is Kara. Have you heard about the winter storm yet? It’s a winter storm coming soon and I am so excited.
i allways will love science live it is one of the best and for all theos of you that don’t you should. and hope evryone one has a fun time at the science fair :] :}
I love David and Caleb
The car was pretty cool, These live videos are interesting to watch.
Woo! New science live!
OMG I love science live!!!
I love science
R51 is hilarious!
This was so much fun to see the science 🧪 today’s
The insect robot is so cool!
Henry ford story was interesting how a lot of people were competing to make the car
my granddad still has a transistor radio
Awesome video this week. Very exciting and very informative.
Cool.
Hi from TN
Loved the video today!
Electricity is important
I love science live
Shark facts are so cool! I love sharks.
Why haven’t a replacement for transistors been made yet?
I loved the science video
Yall are so funny!!,
My Grandpa Charles built transistors for radio stations around the world.
Yay! Can’t wait for nexts weeks video! Thanks
The “save the kitty cats” sign was so funny
Let the kitty cats cross the rode!!!
I loved the flying bug
I love it!
Yall are so funny!!
It sounds like the transistor was an amazing invention. I’m also especially grateful for the personal computer!
I had not heard about that type of shark, but they sound very cool, and I definitely want to learn more about them.
Incredible video!
The model T is cool. Cars have changed a lot since then!
These lives are so interesting! 🙂 Happy thursdayy
Loved the video today!
As a musican, amplifiers play important role in sharing my music. So to see how transistors work is really interesting.
Happy Thursday!
I loved this Science Live episode, and enjoyed learning about Transistors! Caleb and David are hilarious and are great at teaching and explaining certain topics. Just can’t wait for next weeks new episode!!
Sharks are so cool but also kinda scary.
I love science live.
I love science live
I love science it is so cool and fun to do and learn
How long does it take to make a transistor?
Great video!
Roger Billings are so inspiring.
Hello from Claremore, Oklahoma.
Very interesting to hear about the radio!
Always so interesting to learn about what kind of inventions are being made around the world!
Wow, i didn’t know Henry Ford made it so that the model T could be made in 90 minutes.
I loved Science live today and i really liked learning about new technology like the little robots!
Happy Thursday. Tuning in from Vermont
i like the science live today i like cats to
Who knew you could make a tiny bug robot that moves so fast!
Loved the video!
Those drones were so cool!
I loved learning how radios were made. and loved learning about the old radios
This teaches me so much! I love science.
What does the little flying robot do?
Loved learning about the model T
I like how talked about the little robots.
These science lives are the best! Keep it up!
It’s crazy that sharks can walk on the sand with their fins and how they don’t exert energy when laying eggs! I always learn something new.
this was super cool
Science live!!!
Love these, keep it up!
wow this was a good one
Definitely would love to see Pajet do another social emotional class. Also, loved to see David and Caleb’s little transistor video, my favorite part was the small comedic touches.
Happy Science Live thursday!
I knew that a polar bears skin was black. We always think of them as being white because of their fur.
Interesting little robot. Was it made from AI or is it controled by a human?
A big hi frum Idaho, boise.
My favorite part is how MIT made a small drone that can fly like a bug, and how strong they made the wings so it doesnt break when somthing hits it, every thing else was amazing, thanks for sharing.
Another course sounds amazing!!!
Happy Thursday be safe out there in the streets stay warm!! ❤️
I enjoy watching the videos and R-51!
Happy thursday
I would love to build a robot!
I am so thankful for exam recovery and I love cats
Hello from Texas yet another great video
I can’t believe how small those robots are!
I love the recovery mode i really appreciate it at times.
I think the cars are awesome.
No question, I learned something new.
I loved the twin sisters!
I enjoyed the part about what Thomas Edison said to Henry Ford. Great video.
Where do you find Epaulette Sharks?
Cars look so different today then they did back in the day.
R51 is funny
i like the fact that the instructors give jokes so it gives us learning without being super serious all the time
happy Thursday !
I didn’t even know much about transistors until today. Super interesting !
Today’s live was so interesting!
MIT made a tiny robot that can fly with wings, allowing it to go faster than a bumble bee
best program ever
Love todays science live!
Awesome! Transistors are cool, that they help turn things off and on.
the robot facts were so interesting!
so cool i love it
What is a carbon nano tube? That robot looks so cool! Who was Henry Ford? What does a horse look like? 9 years is a long time! I’ve never been to a library
thank you roger billings for teaching us new things
fantastic video you guys are funny.
go save the cats wow r51
Hello from the great state of Texas!
I love learning about the development of technology over the years.
radios are cool
Loved it!
cant wait for next week.
this is my favorite time of the week.
hi from Texas :3
Thank you for doing Science Live, and thank you David and Caleb for teaching us about transistors.
Science live is awesome
Acellus is so cool
I love the radio and listening to it.
do it make another course
So cool!
bee happy.
I enjoyed this weeks science live Video
I am enjoying Acellus so much!
HAPPY THUSRDAY LOVE THISSS!!!!
Good morning happy day.
The carriage without the horses is a very brilliant idea and I also liked that he wanted to make them more affordable for a lot of people to buy since most people weren’t able to afford one before.
Transistors seem to have a simple base but complex as well very interesting!
My dad has an old transistor radio!
What does Roger billings want to do with future technology
I love this
Radios are so fun to talk about, especially as a musician 🙂
Good Thursday! I love sharks, glad the Epaulette shark got mentioned. 🙂
Radios are my favorite
this is cool
This was so cool!