Vacuum Tube Computing
February 4, 2026 • EPISODE 296
How did computers go from filling entire rooms to fitting in your hand? In this episode of Science LIVE, Dr. Roger Billings and the Protégés explore vacuum tube computing and the technology that launched the digital age. Hear stories about early machines, the Billings Computer, and floppy disks as Dr. Billings shares his firsthand experiences helping shape modern computing.
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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I’m thinking it would be cool to put data satalites in space.
wow! that’s very interesting. see you next week
Vacuum computing is pretty cool!
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Wasen’t able to watch last class and barley caught this one, my computer last week till today was being repaired.
I think computers have come so far!
Dr. B explains the lessons so well and in so much detail! I’m glad I went homeschool!
Cool video, I didn’t know that these data servers and technologies took so much energy! 1.5 millions homes worth of energy.
Incredible advancement in modern day tech.
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I really enjoyed this weeks live. I learned so many cool new things this week. Especially about the computer language and how it consists of 1’s and 0’s
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Comment I really enjoy learning about AI and new technologies. Great video!
Thanks for the knowledge Acellus!
What is Vacuum tube computing?
I learned about vacuum tubes.
Great episode, really enjoyed it
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Elon Musk is trying to put 1 million satellites into space, it cost thousands of dollars to put anything into space.
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Interesting! I understand much better than the first time I heard about binary numbers.
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Hi from Florida
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who invented computer chips?
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And at the end of each section there’s a whole video on how to draw the whole thing
Going to the moon is crazy. I would be so scared.
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R51 is the best segment enjoyed the video.
Computers being made is so cool
Comment
The vacuum tube amplifies the signals. It controls the flow of electricity. When the switch is on, it represents 1. When it is off, it represents 0.
How long did it take to make the program for the rockit
It’s crazy how much goes into going to the moon.
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I learned that people used vacuum tubes to make computers. They were really big but the military used them.
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Acellus changed my perspective of schooling
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I an’t believe that in the 1950s a computer was that big.
Love learning about space missions. The info on AI using so much energy was unexpected. Thank you
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How do you control the temperature in the spaceship?
So extremely greatful that Science Live exists. I have learned more in 50 minutes each week than all my other schools combined. Thank you to our amazing production team.
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I found it interesting that you need to figure out where the moon will be in 3 days when trying to land. And the binary coding of just 1 and 0. Seems easy but also very complicated.
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that was a neat history of computers and my dad says he remembers Caldisk floppy disks and the 3.25 floppy disk as well. Now we have cloud storage and thumb drives.
my favorite teacher is Tobias he is so funny and interesting to watch
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I learned about AI
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Liam in code.
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THANK YOU FOR THE VIDEO
Happy early Valentine’s Day
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Are vacuum tubes needed?
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In this video, I learned about how computers work when rockets go to the moon and how they are produced. And I also learned about how vacuum tubes work and how computers speak through binary coding of 1s and 0s. I learned a lot in this video and it was very interesting how computers actually work.
Today’s Science Live on “Vacuum Tube Computing” was truly fascinating to watch. Learning more and more every day. 😉
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What makes me love this activity is how it’s explained because every teacher here knows what they are teaching very well and their methods of teaching is incredible!
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