The Billings Computer
March 4, 2026 • EPISODE 300
Who created the first personal computer? In this episode of Science LIVE with Roger Billings, explore the history of silicon chip design and the breakthroughs that made modern computing possible. Learn about the Intel 4004, the world’s first commercial microprocessor, the Intel 800, and inventor Federico Faggin, whose work helped make the first all-in-one personal computer a reality. Discover how these early innovations paved the way for the powerful computers we use today.
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 »
I love learning more about how computers work!
cool live!
This such good information
Hello from Louisiana!
Great information!
Hey from texas!
Hi from Kansas USA.
Congrats on Episode 300!!! That’s a lot of science I’ve learned. Thanks Dr. B and Dr. Monet.
Just because someone hasn’t done it, does not mean it is impossible.
hello science live!
Hi from Texas!
This is soo cool
Hey from Nebraska
I love science live!
issac from MD
hi hi from Texas
I LOVE WEDNESDAY!!!!
Learning about computers is amazing!!!
That looked like my mom’s first computer. :))
Hi from NYC!
Its so interesting that a computer took up so much room , now it fits in my pocket.
Hello Dr. John, what would it take in theory to make this new generation of 3d printers have the capability of constructing larger objects?
Hi from California 👋
Hi, from South Carilina.
Hello from Texas
Computers and the tech that go into them are so interesting! I wouldn’t have known until I watched science lives!
Hi from nevada
my name is Brandon and I liked this live
Hello from ID!!
your tie looks really cool Dr. Billings!!
Hey from arkansas!
hey from delaware
Hello From Ohio amazing day to watch science live
Thank you! Loved watched Science Live
Hi i am in Puerto Rico right now and it was awesome to learn about the early stage of advanced computer chips!
hiii from Tenneessee
wow science is so cool!
hello from florida
Why would no one buy it if it’s useful?
Hi! From Illinois!
Comment Hi from lombard IL
Hey From Wyoming so exited to be here
Hello from Texas!!
hello from nebraska
Hello from North Carolina!
Hello from the USA
is crazy how we went from floppy discs to what we have now
Hi from Mexico!
Seeing the old computers is very interesting.
Cool!
Good job Dr billings
hey from USA
What materials can you use to 3D print?
the Chinese 3d Printer is so interesting because it uses a laser light!
I love Tobias and Edmond
I think 3D printers are so cool! I could make all kinds of neat things with one.
Imagine we still had those !! So heavy
Hey from Connecticut!!
How did the invention of the personal computer and this processor chip really domino effect modern technology like cell phones and tablets?
I love science live and learning
that computer looks so heavy
Dr. Billings invented a computer!?!
old computers are honestly so fascinating.
That’s cool how the 3D printer can print that fast.
Hi from Texas , very interesting
how’d the Billings computer company turn out? is it still a company?
Hey thanks for this
Hi from Georgia, me and my mom love these lives!
what does cpu mean
I wanted to give a huge thank you for the Social Emotional class it really has helped me through my issue and helped me prepare myself by getting me ready for college next year
hey from Texas
Hello from FL
this is really informative and interesting
Hello from Canada!
Science live is awesome today!! I hope everyone has had a good week!
Did you all realize that this is the 300th episode? That’s crazy!
Wow! That’s so awesome!!
I didn’t know Federico Faggin invented the first microprocessor of the world.
does that mean Mr Billings helped make the first pc
Where did you get the idea for a personal computer?
Hello from va
Hello from NC!
happy to be here tonight!!
This is amazing! That first computer looked cool. I wish I had one. I like old stuff.
hello I’m from maryland
How do the Micro- Processor units get the Names like the C8080?
hello from kansas
Hello from Louisiana
How old was Frederico when he finished the Z80?
Hi from Alabama
WOW Dr Billings! You are living history! SO AMAZING!
I think that the chips that go into the computer has really upgraded since then like the vacuum tube the transistor and so on so on and I’m so excited for the science
I never knew that Dr. B made his own computer. That’s amazing technology for that time!
I love quotes like that!!! It helps when I feel stuck!
hi from NV
Hello from Georgia!
Howdy from Missouri
Im from West Virginia great show!
How well did that computer work compared to the earlier computers?
I love science live!!!!!
the way computer parts got so small kinda so suddenly is really fascinating to me
When was the idea of a computer invented?
how much power does the computer draw from the outlet
Hi from nc
Hey from ga
8000 transistors is a lot!
That’s amazing—being able to continue to create chips that get even stronger and their collaboration is so cool.
Hello from West Virginia, learn something new every time I watch!!
hello from ohio
hello from guatemala
Wait a sceond miss Reabecca is a math teacher too this why I love Science Live so very much
(;(;(;!!
It’s interesting learning about the man who created the chip for the modern computer!!!
How many companies still use the Z80 chip for their products?
Hello from Virginia
the Z80 chip was the start of a new era!
Thank you guys for this amazing live!
hello from Mississippi
I can’t wait to see what Dr. Billings has for us tonight!! He makes science so much fun! I love science live!!
Hello from North Carolina!
Hello from Texas!
Woah! That is so inspiring!
It is amazing all the inventors in computer history, what is the newest invention in today’s computer?
hi from Idaho
hello from Missouri”
Hello from las vegas
When is Acellus world?
Hello from Montana!!!
I love the stories on Science Live.
Wow those computers look different
I love these a lot
Seeing how far technology has come is just amazing, i believe transistor radios was a thing back then too.
Good evening from Alabama!
Hello from Georgia
Happy to be here tonight from Tampa!
My favorite show is on!!!
Dr Tobias is so informational 👍
Hi from tn
It was so intersting to learn about the orgin of computer chips/microprocessors. I loved the story of the invenotr and his wife waiting to see if it worked with bated breath.
Hi from NC
Hello from Massachusetts!
Hii from NJ!!
How much does a 3D-printer cost?
hello from Missouri
Wow! I did not see that coming!
Exited to learn
Hi! From South Dakota!
Hey from Mississippi
Hi from Texas
hi from florida
hello from Indiana!
Hello from Indiana! 😀
Hi, cant wait for area 51!
Hello from the Caribbean
This is very interesting!!
Hello from Texas!
hello from Utah
Hi from Maine
Also, hello from New York!
hello from georgia!!
good evening, it was awesome to learn about the 3D printer that is being made!
Hi from North Alabama
Could you add an inventing game in the activities, please?
Hi from Texas.
I am interested in learning more about 3-D printing and the types of things that can be made with one.
Can’t wait to learn more!
Hey from dc but this science live was very knowledgeable .
.
Hello from Sidney Montana!
3D printers are cool
Hello from missouri!!!
Hello from FL!!!
Hello from Texas
THIS IS AWESOME!
Amazing live!!!
hello from Georgia! Live is amazing!
hi from cr
Hi. This is cool stuff!
Hello from Florida!
Awesome episode, good job.
Hello from Georgia!
That chip looks like a large city in mini-mini!
I love this I think its so cool
Hello From Texas
If I developed a microchip, i’d have my initials on it too!