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 »
Thank you for showing me a transister
Loved this live!! The robot is so cool.
I really want one of those tiny robots
I love watching these videos every week 🙂
I’ve learned more from Acellus then any other type of schooling.
Henry Ford is so cool
Hi from snowy NJ! Great science live!
Does Dr. Billings’s mind ever take a break from thinking of inventions? His mind always seems to be thinking of ways to do things better or more efficiently. I think it’s pretty cool.
What’s the difference between a vacuum tube and a transistor?
how do they use a transistor
Thank you for teaching us about Transistors.
I am so happy I started Acellus because it is truly helping me eccelle.
i like r51
I thought the robot was awesome it was so tiny! I also cant wait for the science fair!
they always talk about fun stuff, the science topics they choose are the best. Thanks
This inspired me to want to create a robot
Love R51 so much!!!
Loved hearing and learning about Henry Ford. The model A was fantastic!
Thank you!
loved this episode.
So cool
How do scientists come up with names for inventions?
NICE LIVE
The insect robot would be really helpful for pollination. Our bees are dying and that could really help.
loved this weeks live!!
I learned about how Henry Ford used assembly lines to expedite the production of cars in my history class but I had no idea that it only took 90 minutes to produce one. I know cars were a lot simpler back then but that still had to be pretty insane. :0
wow
The robot was super cool
The transistor is really cool!
I knew a little about Henry Ford but I didn’t know he started out making pocket watches.
i loved this vidoe
I loved how Henry ford kept going even as people don’t believe in him.
Tiny robot is cool.
I love R-51!!!!
great video
I love Acelus!!!!!!!!!
yet another peak live with roger billings
I learned that they made small robots
The quad-cycle is fun. When me & my family visit the lake front in Milwaukee, WI we rent one and ride as a family.
Its cool MIT made a flying robot that’s the size of a bee.
love the science lives
Thanks, I loved this live!
cool!
Tobias is always so funny! God bless, Jesus loves you all! Have a great rest of the week!
How can a robot so small fly so fast
r51 was so funny
Will we have more videos on Transistors?
What’s the development process like for robots like the tiny flying one from MIT?
Anybody from Maine?
I like how the little robot could do backflips.
Transistors are truly fascinating
I love science live!
The invention of the assembly line is one of the most remarkable creations in my opinion
Henry ford seemed like such an advocate for average or lower class people. i love that he was working to make his product cheaper rather then more expensive
The twin sisters from Area 51 was so funny!
I really enjoyed the You Ask it, We Know it. It was funny
Nice episode this week!
I love acellus.
Very interesting can’t wait for next week!
I really love how much effort goes into these videos!
Cool video! This is learning made fun!
I love r51.
I love the tiny robot that MIT is working on.
awesome science live, i think its so cool to see how cars have evolved over time
Todays episodes was so fun!
Amazing video!
It’s crazy how much cars have changed over the years.
good episode!
I learned about transitors
New student here! Looking forward to finishing my 10th grade online!
What will happen if there are too many Transistors?
Area 51 is my favorite part! I liked the breaking news part.
that tiny robot was so cute
Me and my mom love sharks! Love the video.
R51 is #1
The twin sisters is funny. My mom is a twin.
Caleb and David’s show was really fun!
My mother works night shift so I know her circadian rhythms are out of whack, but she doesn’t have migraines.
Insane that little robot can fly as fast as a bumblebee!
How do they keep finding things to talk about?
thank you acellus
so cool cant wait till next week
Robots are so cool!
I did not know Henry Ford made watches! He is so interesting and I like learning about him. Thank you, Science Live!
I would love to watch a science live in Kansas City!
Wow the R51 robot was so cool!
I love the little robot!
Hi! I’m Aaliyah from Miami Florida, and Dr.B is the best!
I really liked the flying robots!
I am glad that these are posted weekly to give me perspective of new projects happening in real time.
The robot is so cute and tini, I love it!
The bee like robot is super cool!!
love the live tonight keep it up.
So funny and educational
Transistors are amazing
Imagine a model T for $850!! The he gets it down even less!
Hello from Texas!
The tiny robot is going to look amazing when it’s done!
Tobias is awesome. His segments are always interesting.
How did r51 come up with something like that!?
I love R51
Transistors are really fascinating, Its really cool that they are so small but are capable of controlling something much larger!
Twin sisters! Lol
Transistors are really fascinating! Its really cool that they are so small but are capable of controlling something much larger.
What a great episode!!
I had no idea how Transistors worked, I’m glad I learned about them!
The robot is so cute.
Hello from Maryland.
I love science live!!
Hello from Mississippi
Awesome!!
love it
AI is incredibly, to think how far we’ve come
I always love to see R51 in a Science Live!
Hey from Utah, I love R51
I liked this episode
Hello from Tennessee! Watching this even in the snow is always a joy!
When is Conspiracy Theories being released? I Can’t wait!
Comment i really enjoyed Science live today. Was very interesting. Learning new things all the time.
I loved this science live!
I really enjoyed the segment about Henry Ford. I enjoyed hearing about the meeting where he got to present his horseless carriage idea to Thomas Edison.
I really liked the Ford story.
I loved the electrical engineering class that I took through acellus. This reminds me of how fun that course was!
great video on a snowy day!
That robot is so small. I didn’t know a robot can be that small
I love these videos, they are always so interesting.
Those robots are cool.
Hi from NC!
I love the small robot that MIT is working on I hope one day i get to go.
I LOVED the twin sisters! Thank y’all for making weekly videos! I can’t wait for next week!
I love acellus..
I wonder what the world will be like in 5 years with AI technology? So much info at our fingertips and an even faster way of life.
I loved learning more about Henry Ford!
I cant believe that robots can be that tiny!
this science live was the best one!
wow so cool
Please more social emotional classes.
this is so cool!
Thank you for encouraging me, and I enjoyed learning abt Henry Ford.
That’s so amazing
R51 is silly!!
Jarrod
l love watching these
I like the little robot
I thought it was really interesting how MIT is creating these tiny insects that can now fly as fast as bees! I’d love to learn more about that.
I love it
Science is so fun!
Robots are cool!
Hi from Indiana.I think Ai can help in medical field.
what type of wires can you put on there
love it ready for next week
hello everyone
Hello from Buffalo, NY
nice video and robot
MIT robot was so cool!
This was a great video !! I love R51 !!!
Such a nice episdoe! Love it!
i love the part about the tiny robot it soooo cute and fast! Thank you science live for a awesome live stream each week!
what is the next car after the motel a
I love these videos!
I always enjoy the stories on Science Live.
R51 and the ‘you ask, we know’ it were cool. Thanks for the video.
I love the video
Wow with AI in the game now, things are going to change so much, I wonder what the next five years will look like?
The conspiracy theories class sounds interesting. I also thought the tiny robot was very cool.
I love acellus science live!
I had no idea Henry Ford new Thomas Edison and the Model T was because it was Ford’s 20th try at making a car. That’s very cool.
This was awesome!!
I am going to try and find some information about that shark breed that was mentioned !
Hi Roger billing, I really really want to make a science fair project but I just really don’t know what it would be. I’m thinking would a AI app be called a science fair project as well. I’m just asking because I’m not quite sure if it would be called a science fair project.
Ps: I hope you get this message 🙂
We would like to take another social emotional class with Pajet Monet.
Hi from the Virgin Islands! Love science live!
Interesting story about the Ford car the model t and Henry Ford and how he came up with the idea.
Love r51
Cool video, I liked learning about Henry Ford, I’m grateful that he made cars much cheaper.