Vacuum Tube Computing

February 4, 2026  •  EPISODE 296

Join Roger Billings, a technology thought leader and innovator, as he draws from his diverse range of life experiences, inspiring students of all ages to love science and to understand the value of education in empowering their life missions.

This highly motivational and informative lecture series, hosted by the International Academy of Science, is part of the Roger Billings Mentoring Scholarship. 

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 »

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3,299 Comments

  1. Harper

    I am interested in computer science, so this video was very exciting to watch.

    Reply
  2. Benjamin

    Hi from Virginia, I liked seeing the clips from Acellus world.

    Reply
  3. Preston

    My mom told me about the computers when she was younger. Computers are so much cooler now!

    Reply
  4. Rovan

    Its really nice to learn about how computers work if this was a course it would be awsome i would love to learn more about how computer work. I wonder what everyone thinks. (:

    Reply
  5. Preston

    computers are cool once u know how many times they have changed over the years

    Reply
  6. Vander

    Hi, from Myrtle Beach!

    Reply
  7. Ian

    Computers are so cool!

    Reply
  8. W.

    Love “Breakthrough in science”

    Reply
  9. Madelynn

    Hello from Sugarland, texas

    Reply
  10. Alyvia

    Hello from Missouri!!

    Reply
  11. Jerik

    Thank you for this weeks science live, the way computers changed over the years was amazing.

    Reply
  12. Peyton

    Computers are amazing!

    Reply
  13. Maxton

    I enjoyed watching the live this week!

    Reply
  14. Caleb

    Science is a very interesting subject. of the Universe.

    Reply
  15. Yinairih

    Hi!!! Good live guys!! I really liked the Apolo11 story! I was FACINATED by it!! My favorite part is when the dauther save the day haha.

    Reply
  16. Mason

    It’s crazy how they used to weave those threads to act like a computer system. Out of everything I could’ve thought of, that wouldn’t have been it 😂

    Reply
  17. Manuel

    Computers are soooo coooool

    Reply
  18. Alisa

    How fascinating seeing how computers have changed over generations!

    Reply
  19. Manuel

    Computers are so cool.

    Reply
  20. Hailey

    Loved this week’s video thank you from Montana

    Reply
  21. Anthony

    I enjoyed this live so much. Thank you.

    Reply
  22. Layla

    I think it is so cool that Acellus does Science live

    Reply
  23. Sean

    Hello from Texas!

    Reply
  24. Adara

    Margaret Hamilton and her team wrote over 100,000 pages detailing ideas on how computers should work. Their software made it possible for astronauts to land safely on the Moon. Evan when computers errors occurred during the mission, the system they designed continued to function, allowing the mission to succeed.

    Reply
  25. Miranda

    So interesting! Computers have always interested me.

    Reply
  26. Rainn

    Computers are amazing!

    Reply
  27. Justin

    If another number combo was used besides 1’s and 0’s, would it be more complex but better processing?

    Reply
  28. Malakai

    Computers have changed so much.

    Reply
  29. Gracyn

    It crazy how much computers change as technogoly gets better

    Reply
  30. Allison

    It’s fascinating to see the progression of computers over the years! I wonder how they’ll advance in the future.

    Reply
  31. Kaiden

    I love science live so much

    Reply
  32. Remington

    I don’t live anywhere near Kansas but I’m still gonna ask my mom to take me since y’all are having that thing there .

    Reply
  33. Jason

    computers are actually so cool

    Reply
  34. Jamie

    Computers are so amazing!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  35. Talen

    These lives are awesome. Hi from CA!

    Reply
  36. J

    Very interesting science live this week!

    Reply
  37. Ayden

    I loved the live I learned a lot from it

    Reply
  38. Mary

    Hi from Georgia!

    Reply
  39. Ian

    I hope that they do these videos for a lot longer.

    Reply
  40. Izzabella

    hi from texas!! :0

    Reply
  41. Gavin

    Hi from Kentucky

    Reply
  42. Tyler

    Hello from Illinois.

    Reply
  43. Saigon

    interesting live this week!

    Reply
  44. Asia

    Computers are so important.

    Reply
  45. Jayme

    It was interesting learning about how computers work.

    Reply
  46. Sophia.

    This weeks Science Live was pretty interesting!

    Reply
  47. Logan

    Its crazy that AI takes so much power to learn and know everything, just for people to use it wirelessly on a phone or computer.

    Reply
  48. Sean

    Hello from Texas

    Reply
  49. Armida

    watching from texas

    Reply
  50. Easton

    vaccum tubes are so cool

    Reply
  51. Corinne

    Great live this week! Computers are so fascinating! I didn’t know they changed that much.

    Reply
  52. Lillian

    The history of computers is interesting.

    Reply
  53. Erna

    i never knew that about computers

    Reply
  54. Haleiya

    Hi from florida ! I enjoy all the technology we get to learn about

    Reply
  55. Jillian

    The evolution of the computer is truly fascinating!

    Reply
  56. Trent

    I can’t wait to watch this weeks science live. Hi from VA!

    Reply
    • Arabella

      Are there satellite regulations?

      Reply
  57. Kathryn

    So cool! See you next Wednesday!

    Reply
  58. Adalyn

    it’s cool how computers are evolving

    Reply
  59. Jacob

    I really liked this episode I actually watched it the whole way through

    Reply
  60. Jared

    Hi from Virginia!

    Reply
  61. Julyan

    I love learning how computers have changed over the years especially with me wanting to study computer science. I love science live and R-51 cant stop making me laugh! See you guys next week

    Reply
  62. Yasmina

    Hi from New Jersey, thannks for the video! : )

    Reply
  63. Mia

    I think science live is amazing and really good and I love learning because its so fun and you can make so many projects with science you can help others!! I like to be kind. Learning is so much fun and Acellus is great for me and I hope everyone and everybody to have a great night or day.

    Reply
  64. Naden

    It’s honestly so cool how society creates amazing inventions.

    Reply
  65. John

    7 million is alot more money then people think.

    Reply
  66. Faith

    Love Learning new things every Wednesday night!

    Reply
  67. Aravis

    yes R51 is fun.

    Reply
  68. Charlie

    hello from omaha nebraska tech is so intresting

    Reply
  69. Preston

    R51 is funny

    Reply
  70. Sapphire

    See you again next week!

    Reply
  71. Sophia.h

    This weeks Science Live was pretty interesting!

    Reply
  72. Pyper

    The evolution of computers are so cool!

    Reply
  73. Adalyn

    CompUTERS ROCK

    Reply
  74. Ezra

    I can guarantee that the next episode will involve AI! AI is being pushed so hard on everything, so having the next episode be an episode on AI would be amazing!

    Reply
  75. Jackson

    The progress computers have made from the first generation to modern day is amazing.

    Reply
  76. Evelyn

    Hello from Illinois!!!

    Reply
  77. David

    I love computers so much because we can learn and play our video games on them!

    Reply
  78. Avalia

    “Stop, turn around, and comeback.” is so incredibly true, even in real life scenarios. Its always good to stop and take a moment to think about what’s beneficial and what isn’t.

    Reply
  79. Noemi

    cool video! be safe and have a great rest of your winter.

    Reply
  80. Alexander

    The growth of computers is amazing!

    Reply
  81. Hudson

    I love learning about computers!

    Reply
  82. Joshua

    Crazy how much tech has changed.

    Reply
  83. Greycen

    this was fun! I loved learning about this

    Reply
  84. Jayden

    Thank you for explaining this topic.

    Reply
  85. Joshua

    R51 was funny.

    Reply
  86. Harrison

    I like vacuum tube diodes. They’re great.

    Reply
  87. Bentley

    Pretty cool how computers work nowadays.

    Reply
  88. Jorge

    Computers are fascinating

    Reply
  89. Dante

    Technology has been advancing so much!

    Reply
  90. Mary

    computers have changed a lot.

    Reply
  91. Cocoa-chanel

    first time watching one of these, this was the best science i have ever learned.
    and watching from Montana :3

    Reply
  92. Khased

    Hi my name is Khaseda I like the way Dr.Roger billings solves problems I had a special day watching science live with Dr.Roger billings and Dr. Pajet monet.

    Great Science Live, learning about early history of digital photography is awesome, and it’s neat to hearMr. Edmond getting to record the conspiracy class.

    Reply
  93. Iyanna

    Thank you, I learned a lot!

    Reply
  94. Talithia

    The technology in computers is so advanced now!

    Reply
  95. Destiny

    Love Science Live!

    Reply
  96. Keanu

    LOVE THIS!!

    Reply
  97. Rocco

    I love these videos in lean so much computer science is so important

    Reply
  98. Haleiya

    I love r51!

    Reply
  99. Gianni

    It’s crazy how technology has advanced so quickly!
    👌

    Reply
  100. Prada

    What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

    Reply
  101. Josephine

    Have a good wednesday!

    Reply
  102. Aaron

    helloo from ct!!

    Reply
  103. W.

    Happy science live day!

    Reply
  104. Austin

    love these lives this one was so fast love it

    Reply
  105. Luis

    Really showed me a new intresting thing about computer science that I never knew. 🙂

    Reply
  106. James

    I love how computers work its so cool

    Reply
    • Kai

      I agree I love them

      Reply
  107. Aubrey

    I really enjoyed this video, I love r51, he is such a character. Also I am from Mississippi. I can’t wait for next Wednesday to watch science live. Me and my sisters enjoy it very much. Also I love when David and Caleb talk, because I always learn so much, and I never stop laughing when they make bloopers or say funny stuff.

    Reply
  108. Felipe

    I Like Science Live .

    Reply
  109. Isabella

    Love watching these!

    Reply
  110. Savannah

    Hello from NY!

    Reply
  111. Emmanuel

    Great Live I loved it

    Reply
  112. Isabella

    Computers are very cool to me. In fact I use one.

    Reply
  113. Tonya

    I joined the live later, I see one and zero’s were mentioned as language for computers. This is a interesting part I will have to look over again.

    Reply
  114. Rocco

    I lean so much from these videos computer science is so cool

    Reply
  115. Cayden

    I like learning about computers. Thank you.

    Reply
  116. Aiden

    Are there satellite regulations? Who monitors space? How many satellites are too many?

    Reply
  117. Andrew

    Hi from texas

    Reply
  118. Katie

    Tonight’s live was great

    Reply
  119. Jayden

    still trying to figure out what R51 was doing

    Reply
  120. Carter

    Hi from Kentucky!

    Reply
  121. Zoe

    It was cool to learn how computers started out! Also, that was definitely the wildest pizza delivery I’ve ever seen.

    Reply
  122. Kira

    Hi from WV! After all that talk about satellites, I couldn’t help but want to have a bigger discussion about it. Perhaps in a future Science Live the topic could be about satellites and everything they’ve accomplished to aid humanity’s development, along with the dangers of having satellites in space. I just think it would be cool. In truth, I don’t have much to ramble on about this time, because I understood everything, so no need for questions, and there’s nothing I could say to add to the conversation as of the moment. Either way though, this was a good Science Live and of course see you all next week!

    Reply
  123. Maddox

    computers are awesome

    Reply
  124. Sanchez

    Did you know the space between the earth and moon is so vast, that you can fit all the planets in the solar system between them with room to spare.

    Reply
  125. Aubrey

    i love r51!

    Reply
  126. Ryen

    Awesome episode this week!

    Reply
  127. Sirvetta

    Science Live is super cool and beneficial!

    Reply
  128. Kaylie

    Hi from Texas!

    Reply
  129. Lillian

    Hi!!from TX!!

    Reply
  130. Amaya

    I think is cool every how almost every device you see uses binary.

    Reply
  131. Rowin

    How do radio waves go across the ocean?

    Reply
  132. Trysten

    I love r51

    Reply
  133. Christian

    I love learning about the moon!

    Reply
  134. Damon

    computers have changed the world over the years

    Reply
  135. Elias

    Computers, and techology in general, has come so far in such a short amount of time, really. It’s all pretty interesting. Have a nice night, and thank you Acellus staff.

    Reply
  136. Raquel

    Wow! I loved this weeks science live!

    Reply
  137. Blair

    Can’t wait for next Wednesday

    Reply
  138. Chevelle

    It’s insane to see how far computers have come! I loved this live, thank you

    Reply
  139. Monte

    Tonight we learned about vacuum tubes and the first computers. Very interesting!

    Reply
  140. Gabriella

    We loved seeing the guys again!

    Reply
  141. Liam

    That is so cool! that a tiny computer chip holds that much storage.

    Reply
  142. Isabella

    I love science! Great video this week

    Reply
  143. Mason

    I found the history of computers interesting!!!

    Reply
  144. James

    my favorite Dr is Dr Tobias

    Reply
  145. Jackson

    I liked this video a lot.

    Reply
  146. Miyari

    I love science live!!

    Reply
  147. Paul

    I love R51

    Reply
  148. Javier

    I am amazed at how far coputers have come since they were invented.

    Reply
  149. Erika

    Loved this live! Computers are so interesting!

    Reply
  150. Daila

    its crazy how light buds how changed thru the years

    Reply
  151. Annmarie

    Hi love you guy’s lives I’m also from Florida.

    Reply
  152. Demarco

    I had learned about GPU. Computers. Data, Memory. Transistor. Margaret Hamilton. RAM. John Mauchly. I enjoyed. Thanks!

    Reply
  153. Berkley

    It is so neat to see how much technology has progressed!

    Reply
  154. Joshua

    The video was very interesting, thank you for the advice on how to perservere through challenges and not to lose sight of my goals. The topic of the tremendous effort in NASA preparing the moon launch being brought up has really interested me. Although I knew it was hard for them, I never knew the true scale of the effort and time it took.

    Reply
  155. Jovi

    i like r51

    Reply
  156. Briahnna

    I loved this science live!

    Reply
  157. Juan

    Great episode today, I love to see these cool topics being explored in depth!

    Reply
  158. Mia

    Hi from Florida

    Reply
  159. Lizheng

    This week’s science live is really good, I’ve learned a lot of things today.

    Reply
  160. Johnathan

    R51 is the funniest

    Reply
  161. Rovan

    Its really nice to learn about computer (:

    Reply
  162. Braedon

    Thank you Dr. Billings!

    Reply
  163. Aleah

    vacuum tubes make me think of the tubes at the bank.

    Reply
  164. Ranon

    That was interesting. Thanks.

    Reply
  165. Weston

    I like the ww2 part

    Reply
  166. Emma-kate

    Cool to learn facts about computers

    Reply
  167. Jordan

    cool how computers have changed.

    Reply
  168. Khased

    R-51 is so funny.

    Reply
  169. Liam

    i love r51

    Reply
  170. Gabriel

    I think this curriculum is so great and i think r51 is so funny. You guys are great at your job!

    Reply
  171. Obeideh

    Thanks for the science Live

    Reply
  172. Laura

    Thank you Dr John and Tobias for the lessons tonight.

    Reply
  173. Annaleesa

    I love science live and I look forward every wednesday .

    Reply
  174. Caden

    What are the inviormental impacts due to AI datacenter? (Energy, water consumption etc)

    Reply
  175. Sophia

    I find it really interesting how nasa has to plan out three days for aiming towards the moon

    Reply

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