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 »
love this
Ford was amazing for making his cars as affordable as possible. Truly one of the best engineers of all time.
Love these educational videos.
Hello, from Nebraska!! Great video, as usual.
What is the main function of a transistor in an electronic circuit?
Hello, from Nebraska!! Great video, as always.
That is so cool that Henry Fords idea for a assembly line could assemble an entire vehicle in ninety minutes.
Wow I love how much I learn when watching science live!
Thank You
Loved this robot this week’s live was great!
I liked learning about Henry Ford. I think ai is cool.
Will Acellus have more coding classes to take?
Really cool the way MIT was able to fit all the right parts into that small of a robot
Science live is sooo cool love these videos.
I love home School
R51 is really funny. Loved this video.
What coud they use the tiny robots with the nanotubes for besides searching small spaces after diasters and as pollinators? Were the Model T and Model A the only two models that Henry Ford released for sale?
I love the science life because it is so interesting
How reliable can the tiny bug-like robot be and how many years can it last?
I love the science life because it has so many interesting things
cute little robot
That little robot is impressive!
Cool
Hello from Alabama, I hope you all stay warm in this cold snap and storm.
Love it!!
I absolutely love Science Live!! It’s so interesting!!
Great program!
It was cool to hear about Ford’s side quests!
I love the tiny robot that MIT is working on.
I would love to be on the team that is building that tiny robot
I love R51!
that is one cute little robot love this science live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love that with Acellus I can retake my test to make my grade better in the class and actually learn the material and not just be passed on with an ok grade.
really enjoyed this video!!
Thats one fast robot
the wings are so cool.
The robot s are soooo cute I love them
So glad Ford got of vote of confidence from Edison. Amazing!
I’m excited about the upcoming science fair.
love these videos
That’s cool about the bugs and 51 twin lights and all that kitty talk was really funny.
Science Live is awesome 👌
I think it’s cool that Henry ford invented the assembly line.
robots are my favorite.
Wow transistors do so much thank you !
Acellus World sounds like so much fun!
the history of cars is very interesting
Awesome video!
I loved this episode.It was so interesting.
This episode was so interesting,I loved it.
It was very entertaining to learn about Henry Ford!
I am very grateful for the inventions of the modern satellite gps which was made possible by transistors.
jolly good show
Science five is my favorite part of the week
love the tiny robot
It looks like R51 is causing some trouble!
great video!!!
I thought it was really interesting about how the epilet shark can conserve energy after “giving birth”. That would come in handy when they try to hunt in the ocean.
This was interesting.
how are robouts made
I love Acellus!!!!
very good and interesting video 😀👍
That’s an awesome application 😃
I’m Carter and I’m 6. I love this school *
I didn’t know that the model T Fords took 20 tries! That’s so cool!
I loved the live!
The flying robot is really cool. I hope some day I will be able to make robots at MIT too.
I really liked this science live
I think it’s crazy that a radio would take 6 to 12 vaccume tubes.
This was a good video
Having a radio must have been really exciting!
Mini robot is super cool and AI developing the software.
i liked learning about Henry Ford
Very neat!
I love this science live.
This is so cool!
Very interesting, how technology can help with everything.
Hi from Tennessee! Great video!
How many models did they have to make for the tiny robot before it was perfect?
I love this video!!!!!!!!
thank you so much mr Rogger Billings for this science live
i liked learning about the robot MIT is working on
oh cool small robots! mit is now making small robots using new technology i wonder what else they’ll be making in terms of robots
Super cool!
The science fair seems like it would be interesting!
What would happen if a negative charge flowed through the middle wire
Thank you Dr Billings!
I’d love to attend Acellus World if I could!
Hello from El Paso! How is the weather at the Acellus HQ?
This was very interesting to watch and I cant wait to see what we learn about next week.
love this
i enjoy how acellus is constantly doing new things building or creating new ideas!
I love R51
I love sharks! It was cool to learn new fact about them today.
This was the first time I learned about Henry Ford. It was interesting.
Wow! I didn’t know MIT could make something so small! , thank you so much for this lesson! Really appreciate it
Hi I love science live!
I find it fascinating that a polar bear’s skin is black while it’s fur is white, I never knew that about a polar bear!
r51 is awesome!
Thanks for the new information. God bless you all!
I enjoyed this so much! It was so beneficial and entertaining to watch!!
Nice video today.
These live’s are the best!
What industries did the transistor change most?
I really love the science live!
hi from Colorado
I loved this!
love r51
this is so interesting!
transistors are cool
i loved this episode!!! -GIa
cute tiny robot.
amazing
I think that it’s cool that Bill Lear designed the radio!
Why is it that the shark can only breath for only a couple minutes and not forever?
I love science live!
Looking forward to the new courses from Acellus
Wow
How long is Acellus World?
I cant believe how long it took it took for me to watch this! It was so much more insightful than I thought!
I enjoyed the science live
Earlier in the video, Dr. John talked about a tiny little bug-like robot the researchers at M.I.T where working . It looks really cool! I can’t wait to see what they use it for in the future!
I love science!
Entertaining all the way around.
hello from tn
I’m amazed that the robot MIT is working on a robot that can last about 17 minutes when it’s that small.
Once again the protégés have wowed us!
Great job boys!
Also, I thoroughly enjoyed Henry Ford’s backstory. It’s truly inspiring!
I love science!!
I loved learning about transistors.
I like the way science has helped our lives move forward
Cute little robot!
I love r51
Loved this Live!!
I never knew that a polar bear’s fur was a different color than it’s skin
Yes I want more social and emotional health.
The Proteges, David and Caleb, were so fun to watch!
This video was very entertaining and informative.
When was this robot invented.
This is a great video
What place is inventing the robot.
Thankful for Acellus!
The robot was so small, how cool
It’s intriguing how Henry Ford was able to be hired at the Edison Company, become a great engineer, and become such a legend in mechanical history! Making a horseless carriage must have been groundbreaking back in the time.
Wow! I didn’t know about epaulette sharks until this live
Stay safe in the snow storm yall!!
so cool!
cant wait to go the the fair this spring for the first time!
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I love the tiny robot that MIT is working on
didn’t know you could make a robot that small.
this is cool and entertaining
I loved this science live!
Theese videos are so interesting and fun to watch!
Where do you submit your Science Faire project?
These videos inspire me to keep creating and keep inventing no matter what other people may say.
Are transistors still used in everything to this day or not as much?
what made the transistors come to livr
I love the tiny robot the speed and control is awesome!
This science live was great! I loved learning about the model T car!
Very cool, loved learning about the transistors.
Loved learning about transistors.
So entertaining! Loving the Science Live
r51 is so funny!!! love acellus!!!
love the episode
i’m excited for the science fair.
Really liked learning more about transistors!
Wow great live!
Hello Daniel from Austin tx, I love R51!
What uses could the MIT drone have for us?
I love really love these videos and i love the tiny robot that MIT is working on
I truly love these entertaining videos. Cant wait for next week!
I always learn so much I can’t wait for next week
hi from nc
Was Mr.Billings able to make the 900 computers in one month ?
I loved learning about transistors this lesson, thanks so much!
I love science live, thanks
I love watching your fun science lives