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 »
this episode was great
transistors are so interesting to learn about Great Video
transititors sound like a big deal in science.
A translator can be used for multiple things to communicate to people easier or a language difference
I love learning about the code.
Loved this week’s Science Live
It’s so cool how so much information can be stored in super tiny inventions! This is going to change so many lives!
Henry Ford was such an interesting person and accomplished so many things.
Henry Ford was the founder of the Ford company, right? Using context clues, haha!
How do you make a computer chip!
I love science live!!
This episode is very interesting.
Hi watching from NJ Super cool episode!
I want to do a science fair!
can R51 talk about chickens next time
Interesting facts about interesting sharks.
Acellus world sounds so fun!!
welcome to “silly r51”
r51: AI what do I do to make pajet love me?!
AI(in Australian accent): R51 calm down it is simple just wait 5 months-
R51: FIVE MONTHS?!?! what do I do(goes nuts)
AI: R51 you didn’t let me finish! in five months you can get her her favorite thing–
r51: WHAT IS OH AI TELL ME PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
AI: once again I didn’t finish. she loves butterflys she even is wearing a butterfly necklace.
R51: then what about a bracelet!
AI: great idea mr R51. am I still needed?
(R51 has already set off to the jewelry store but has no money next week we will get more into it)
THANK YOU
PS. if you liked this please reply and tell me. don’t worry I’ll check every day I promise.
Congrats to the Acellus alum with her invention, very impressive
Hello from texas
I liked learning about the model T.
It would be amazing if small robots would be able to pollinate plants.
This was such a good episode thank you all!!
This was such a good episode thank you so much!!! look forward to this every week!
I think it is really cool how they can use transistors It could help with so many things!
Why do we need exam recovery?
I liked the part about Henry Ford.
i always love dr billings stories
I love this every week
Love the quadracycle story
Had to watch this episode 297 late because of the winter snow and ice problem. We had no electricity and wifi for awhile. This episode was so interesting especially about how the model T came about.
Learning about the little robot during the technology spotlight with Dr. John was so cool!
Model T is fire.
The insect robot is amazing!
I really wanna learn how to code when i grow up!
Watching from SC, another great live!
Love learning about the model T car!
Cool flying robots created at MIT!
MIT’s insect robot was so cool! I loved the way it hovered like a bumblebee does. I learned about Henry Ford, from Tobias.
Henry Ford used the Assembly Line to make cars in high demand more affordable. From Caleb and David, I learned about germanium and that it conducts electricity.
The proteges is intriguing!
Very interesting! The robots were so cool to see.
Another great science live.
Thank you Mr. Billings!
For how many years was the New Model A manufactured?
How big is a epaulette shark and how many eggs can they make?
Hey from Florida
This video was great! I love watching every week.
I think its cool how transistors have impacted our new technology and how much they’ve helped us improve them.
the model T car is cool
how did they get under ground radiation I like this episode
Great video, I feel like I learned more in
this one
Love the dad jokes 🙂
i love i area 51
sharks on land? oh no.
r51 is always funny
The modle T is very interesting.
When can we expect to see smart clothes?
I liked the transistor
these live are so cool!
It’s mind-blowing how transmitters are able to connect wireless frequencies using tune circuits to connect across the world.
I liked learning about the model T.
Super cool!! Thank you for another great video.
science is super cool love this video.
I learned about coding and transistors!
Hello from Kentucky! great video!
Can’t wait for the next one!!
My neighbor has a Model T.
This live was awesome
Video was great! Very informational.
how small can transistors be?
This was very interesting. I learned a lot! Thanks!
How small can transistors be?
Love the video thank you so much!
This episode was really fun thank you!
This episode was really interesting. It was really cool learning about transistors.
I loved learning about how transistors work!
I find this very interesting, thank you so much for all the info.
This is very interesting to learn about the transistors. Thank you.
Hi, from South Carolina.
Interesting episode!
Learning about the insect robot was REALLY cool. Technology Spotlight has got to be my favorite segment.
great live like always!!!
I thought it was really cool to learn about model T
Watching from texas!
Watching from St. Marys, Georgia!
Another Science Live, hello everyone 🙂
I like learning from the Proteges!
Hello from Ohio!
Hi from Illinois!
Hello from Hattiesburg Ms
It was interesting and surprisingly easy to understand how transistors work!
Hello I’m from NC! I hope everyone has had a great day!
I thought the robots were cool!
Thank you for this great science live!
I would like a transistor radio. It would be fun to use one.
I enjoy hearing about new technology during Science Live.
I cant believe radios were a foot wide. That’s crazy!
Wow!!! That is so awesome that she made a computer program to detect eye cancer!
Thank you for the video. I learned a lot of new things. I was amazed at how such a small robot can fly at the speed of a bumblebee and be used for pollination. I was also very inspired by the story that Henry Ford worked at Tesla’s factory.
Interesting fact that Thomas Edison was Inspired by Henry Ford and had an influence on him and his career.
I did look up the little sharks, and they are absolutely adorable. Also, those tiny drones sound super cool, hopefully they don’t bug us like real insects!
Vacuums are so small now, I’ve seen the old ones and they were a lot bigger. Seems like with technology everything is just getting more compact. Thank you!
I really liked the thing about the shark I never knew some sharks could do that.
I didn’t know that Henry Ford’s first invention was called the quadricycle. Where did the term automobile and car come from?
Super cool
I Love Science Live!
That is cool to learn that Henry Ford got the idea of building cars from taking a part a pocket watch.
This is so cool.
Very interesting!
This is super interesting!
Hello, watching from SC.
this was informative and very interesting
Amazing!
This is so cool!
i like learning about science
I just love this so much, keep going
It was very interesting! I enjoyed learning about quadra cycles!
This is awesome
Thank you for this week!
this is amazing!!
Henry Ford has such an interesting history, especially the breakthrough of an assembly line.
this is awesome!
Science is epic!
The Model T is very cool.
Very interesting! I enjoyed learning about the quadra cycle!
This is very cool and informative
The Proteges part was cool!
Very cool and interesting!!
Thanks for another good episode!
Loved the lesson on transistors, The Proteges done a really good job of explaining them.
Science live is awesome!
Science is so cool!!!
Great science live!
I learned so many new things! love love loved the robots!
I find transistors a fascinating piece of technology. Thanks.
I love this!
the model T seems so cool!!
So interesting and cool to watch this video!!
Keep it up!
This is a very good video! It explains a lot of cool things.
Great episode
So cool!
Pretty neat always learning something new!
Hello from Texas!!!
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I enjoyed watching this video, it was very interesting and the robots were cool to see.
My dad had a science kit from the 80’s from when he was a kid he showed me that had transistors on it. Reminds me of this.
This was really interesting!
This was really interesting to see and also fun!
Loved learning about the Model T and Henry Ford
Wow! So interesting!
I love science!
I really enjoyed this Live it was good.
I enjoy learning about old model cars. Henry Ford’s car was important because it helped him learn how to make better cars later on. He changed how people traveled and made the cars affordable for regular people to get one.
This was super informative! Thank you so much. I loved all the robots
Hello from Georgia!
Wonderful!
My favorite part of the week!
I love sharks!
i look forward to watching these, super cool videos !!!
Without transistors, we wouldn’t have modern technology as we know it. Transistors made electronics, faster, smaller, cheaper and more reliable. Another great Science Live.
I really like the proteges
Thank you all!
Amazing video!!
Super cool to hear about how transistors fully work
Robots are so amazing!
I liked learning how transistors work and how such small things can be so important and helpful.i learned that transistors help computers and other devices work better. The episode helped me understand how science and technology are connected.
Loved this week’s science live!
Awesome science live!
What is a transistor and why is it important?
Hello from, NJ
Very interesting! I like The Proteges part!
i always learn so much!
Great Video! I really like the Model T.
Hi from New Mexico
It was so cool learning about the former Acellus student! Very inspirational!
Wow! Very neat science live. Very interesting to learn all these things.
The robot insects are incredible. I love when people use their knowledge to make such creative things!
Hello everyone!
I love Roger Billings. He’s the best teacher.
Very interesting! I like The Proteges part!