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 »



Hi, this is Ryan from IL! I love Acellus, amd I can hardly wait for Conspiracy Theories as a class. Todd Edmond is by far my favorite teacher!
Hi from GA!!
Hi from AZ!
hi from california
Hello from Texas!
Hi from ny
hello from north dakota
Hello from Virginia!
EXITED for tonights live!! from georgia
hii can’t wait for this science live!
Hi from Texas.
hello from kansas
excited for the next science live!!
Helloooo from mexico
From baytown Texas
Hello from Oklahoma!
Hello, happy Wednesday everyone!
hello from texas
Hello from Texas
hello from texas!
Hi, ready to watch this weeks live science video ☺️
Hi from N.Y.
Hello from Tennessee!
Wuzzup! from Missouri! 😀
Hellp from TN! Love these lives
Hi from Virginia
Hello from Tx
hello from texas!
Hi, from Nebraska!
Hello from MO!
Hello!! How is everyone? I rushed on here as quick as I could!
Can’t wait for science live!
When is the science fair event?
Greetings from MD. Hope everyone is excited for February’s first installment of SCIENCE LIVE!
Hello, hoping everyone is having a great day.
Can’t wait for the science fair! It sounds like so much fun!
hi i love science live i feel like i learn so much nv
HEY!! Here from MO!!
Hi from Michigan
Its time for science live.
Hello from utah!
whats up science live
Hi from Michigan
Hello from Kenbridge, VA,
Hi from Colorado
Hello from Illinois
Hello from Fargo ND
Hi Zariyana checking in from Chicago.
.
hi I’m from VA
hey from Louisiana
hi from montana
HELLO FROM GEORGIA
Hi from SC!!!
Hello from Texas.
Hello from Florida.
Hi from NC!
hi from mississppi
Hi from Mississippi, finally got power after this snowstorm!! So excited to be able to watch the live again.
Hello from Illinois
Hello from Dayton Ohio
Hi from NY!
helloo from TX 🙂
hiiii hello from hawaiiiiii
Hi from Florida
hi from MO
Hello everyone! Can’t wait to learn today! How was everyone’s week?
Hello from Tennessee!
Hi I’m from Texas
hello from missouri!
hi from Georgia
hello science live from Okinawa Japan
Hello from Georgia.
Hello from Texas
Hello from Indiana
Hello from Texas
Hi from NY!
Hello from Florida!
Hi! Cant wait to watch another science live!!!
Good evning fromTX
Hello from Minnesota!
Hello from Upstate NY!
Hello from Tennessee!
hello from Sammie in new mexico
Good Evening from Virginia!
Hi, from Atlanta!
Hello from Texas!
Hi from Ohio!
Only five minutes left!
excited about tonight’s live
hi from mo
hi from new Jersey!
HI viewing from Texas
excited for another night of science live!
Hello!!! Excited for this live!!
hello from Texas
Hello from Georgia
Hi from Alabama, hope everyone is warm!
Hello from alabama
Hi from Maine
Hi from NY!
yoooo hello from ny
Hello everyone im glad to be back for another science life
Hello from Texas! Happy to be here tonight!
Hi from Tennessee
Hello from Alaska!
HELLO!! its Lila from Nebraska, Omaha!
Hello from Maryland
hi from North Carolina
hi from Georgia
I like watching these honestly!
Hi Everyone. Excited to see Science Live!
Hi from GA
Hello can’t wait from Missouri
Good evening, everyone!
Hello from kentucky!
Hello from Oklahoma
Hey from Wilmington NC
Hello from UP Michigan
i love science. You learn so much!!
Hi from texas
Glad to be here early!
Hello from Morocco
Hello my name is Alexis and I’m from Georgia
Hello from Omaha! 🙂 I wonder what Dr. Billings is going to talk about!! I can’t wait for Science Live!! (Favorite time of the week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) 😉 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hello from Virginia!
Hi from GA i am very intrested to see what’s next
Hello from Texas
hi from North Dakota
Hi from NY!
Hi from wisconsin
im so happy i can see your videos again!.
Hello from NC!!!!
hi from Los Angeles
Hi from nebraska
Hello from Missour. Hope everyone week is going good!
Hello from Kansas!
Hi from Mexico 🇲🇽
Hello from Aledo, IL
Hello from Alabama
Hi from North Carolina!!!
hi from texas
Hi from texas!
Hello from tennessee
Hi from Louisiana!
Hi from Nevada!
I just love sciencelive
I love science live so much.
hi from cali
Can’t wait for the live!!
So excited for this live.
Hello from NC!!
hii from mt.
I hope everyone is doing well in school 😁
hello from tx
hi from caliii
hi from kentucky!
hi from texas
Hai everybody! i hope you are all having a wonderful day. im so exited to learn more today.
Tobias Live! He is my favorite
Hi from NC!
Austin P says hello from White Sands Missile Range, NM.
hi from michigan
Hi from Williston North Dakota
this looks fun
Hello from Texas!
Hi from Mississippi
I’m pretty excited to c r51 again!
hello from north carolina.
Yes, it’s Wednesday!!! So excited for Science Live!!!
hi from NJ!!
Hello from oklahoma
Hello, I’m super excited to start the science live.
hello from georgia
hiiiiiii. hope he from tx
Hi from Illinois