The Invention That Made the Internet Possible
Unable to load video? Click here.
In 1978, Dr. Roger Billings invented Universal Networking — the foundational technology behind how the modern internet shares information.
In this episode of ScienceLive, he tells the complete story for the first time, in his own words. It starts with a problem. J. Willard Marriott, founder of the Marriott Hotels empire, had 12 of IBM’s largest mainframe computers — the biggest the company made — and they still couldn’t keep up with reservation demand. IBM told him a 13th machine would crash the entire system. He needed a solution that didn’t exist yet. Dr. Billings invented one.
His concept was elegantly simple: instead of every computer trying to talk to every other computer simultaneously, create a dedicated “library” computer — what we now call a server — that any number of users could query independently. The result was a system that could scale to an unlimited number of users without overloading. He called it Universal Networking, patented it as U.S. Patent No. 4,714,989, and proved it worked by installing it at real businesses around the world using the Billings Microcomputer — one of the earliest personal computers ever built.
Today, every website, every app, and every internet transaction runs on this same client-server principle.
This is the story of one of the most important and least-known inventions of the 20th century — told by the man who invented it.
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 »
Garlic!!!!!!!!!! That is one of my moms “make kids eat” foods!
I have a question does a tuning fork vibrate because of its material, or does it vibrate because of the shape and how it was made?
thank you its has helped me so much because im dyslexic and its harder for me to learn and science live is amzing thank you so much
R-51’s electronic chip ice cream is so funny(:
Thank you Dr. Billings for all the inventions you have made that has benefited the would
The way the watch are made is mind blowing who thought they’re made with crystals.
I love hearing other kids science progects! they are all so creative.
We love you Dr.Billings, youre so cool.
CRAZY HE INVENTED THE TECH BEHING THE INTERNET
I always thought the internet was a really cool thing to research about, about how it was invented.
I recently started Accellus and I love it I watch science because it is a great way to learn! Also without the Roger Billings scalorship I wouldn’t be here
Thank you so much Dr. Billings for this Science Live video. It was very interesting!!
Im thankful for the internet because without it I wouldn’t be watching science live right now
I think it’s awesome how Dr. Billings came up with the univeral networking idea, a simple solution to a complex issue that has been important throughout all of technology.
I loved learning more about Dr. Billings inventions. Also, Thank you so much for the scholarship! I wouldn’t be able to do Acellus without it and I am extremely grateful!
R- 51 was so funny
Learning more about universal networking is so awesome, the explanation finally helped me understand more!
Its always my favorite time of day to watch science live. I love learning so much
Science live never fails to teach me something new and funny each time with science and history of some of the things we use today!!
Thank you for the internet without it I wouldn’t be able to this amazing school.
I love Acellus! I learn so much 🙂
Dr. Billings is amazing. He has done so much with his life.
I really appreciate what you have done for us. I love Acellus!
This is our first year and we are enjoying it.
Without the internet it would not be possible to watch these amazing videos.
I’m so grateful for this online school. It helps me to do so much that there is no way I would be able to if I public schooled!! I’m making it sound like Thanksgiving (haha) but I’m just very happy that I’m able to do everything I could ever want to thanks to Acellus!
It’s interesting to see how the data centers are set up and how they are used on the Internet.
Dr. Billings’ favorite invention was an invention no one even understood! Thank you for sharing all about what is in your brain and how Acellus was ultimately created! That most definitely was a genius level adventure!
Dr. Roger Billings, I’m working hard to finish high school while I’m also trying to build a business
I really loved learning about your invention! And I really admire how much you sacrifice in order to help students in their studies!
I am still amazed how many things you have invented that have changed the world for the better. Thank you.
Wow without your invention of the internet we wouldn’t have social media today thank you for being a great inventor.
Super excited to find out how you invented what made the internet possible!!
The concept of the internet not actually belonging to anyone is a very interesting thing to think about.
This program is amazing thank you!
Another brilliant Science Live. I would have been so frustrated if someone (or more than one) tried to steal my invention. You are a hero Dr. B!
Do we still use quartz in watches today?
This program truly helps me work at my own pace and I couldn’t be more grateful.
R-51 is the funniest
I really enjoyed this Live! Its so cool that Dr. Billings invented the tech behind the internet!!
Hello! I really enjoyed the 3D printer segment – we have one and print all kinds of useful items. The printer can make items out of different types of materials, which come in rolls called filament. The one we have can print with a carbon fiber composite too, which is great!
I really enjoy Acellus. I used to Public school and then I homeschooled but when I was in public school, it took up too much of my time. I didn’t really get to see my family, but Acellus really has changed my life and I am really grateful that Acellus is a school.
Wow, I didn’t know that Dr Roger Billings invented the technology behind the internet.
Science live each week is very interesting. Thank you DrB for bringing these amazing videos to use each week!
Accellus is great, so glad I made the change! Keep up the great work you guys are doing.
I always love hearing more about 3d printers! I always like creating different things for my mom to print on her 3d printer.
the wifi joke got me
I really enjoy attending Acellus.
Can the new robot use air bubbles from the water?
I had no idea Dr Billings invented the stuff for the internet. That’s super cool
Haha – good idea with the fridge Wi-Fi password!
Thank you for all you do to offer the scholarship.
The internet has come a long way over the years! It is so important these days for so many aspects of life.
Crazy to think of how one problem solved many others.
I really enjoyed watching my first Science Live video, and I’m looking forward to watching more of them each week as I work on my classes!
I love all the episodes of Science Live. I also love homeschooling!
Thank you very much. My mom said she really loves the courses.
The invention of internet is amazing!
Thank you for the school my mom said I wouldnt be able to homeschool without it.
Homeschooling is the best I love it. My mom wasn’t teaching very well but then she found a ACELLUS! Thank you!
Can the 3d printed robot be made out of different materials?
I always love learning more about technology and the internet!
The technology behind the Internet is very interesting.
Thank you for letting me be apart of this amazing program, I love it!
The networking information was pretty neat.
I had no idea that Dr. Billings invented the technology behind the internet, I also never knew that garlic was so cool.
The tuning forks were interesting.
Great science live this week! Dr. Billings did a great job like always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do we still use quartz in watches today?
I really thought the Electronic chip Ice cream r51 made was really funny. Thank you for all that you have done for us Dr. B , you are really appreciated by many Accelus kids.
Thank you so much Roger Billings! Love Acellus
When did Dr. Roger Billings start inventing.
That kid can grow up to be a musical genius if she keeps playing like that!
I’m curious about what inspired Dr. Billing to pursue a path in STEM. I’m still exploring my own career direction, and I’d love to know if you had a mentor or role model who influenced you. Either way, I hope to discover the same kind of passion for my path that you’ve found in yours.
I thought that this was a very motivational video, it makes me want to invent something! Thank you!
I really really love learning about the first computers. My mom is learning software programming and also learned about IBM. I would love to go to a Museum of technology one day and see them but seeing them on Science Live is awesome too. Thank you for offering the scholarship, it really helps my mom a lot because she doesn’t have help and we can about the future.
Thank you
I still can’t believe how you made the internet possible that’s just amazing, you deserve a medal.👏👏
Thank you so much for my scholarship! You have paved a runway for me to take off from. Thank you!
When was the first digital clock invented?
This Science Live was great. I liked learning about J. Willard Marriot’s story, And R51 is so funny I think he should get his own comedy show.
How does the fork viberate when you hit it on something?
R51s funny
It was so fascinating learning about the internet and its back story!
It’s insane how Dr. Billings invented so much. He’s an amazing scientist and an even better teacher!
Love it Dr. Billings!!
Here from Kentucky!
I love science lives so much!
I think what dr.roger said was very heart felt. And. I will be willing to take my education . Because I want to be really successful
The 3D printing made me want to do more research on the type of materials you can use for “3D printing”.
Thank you Dr.Billings. Hello from Mississippi!!
Can the 3d printed robot be made out of different materials?
i love that Acellus has offered Science Lives to everyone. I think it’s really cool that it can go internationally!
The internet and the story behind it is always so cool to learn about!
Dr. Billings is amazing. We should all strive to be more like him.
It’s cool to learn about how the internet and servers (data centers) originated.
Loved this Dr.Billings!
I love Science live! I really enjoy learning new stuff.
It’s crazy to see how over the years the internet has changed but also how the look of the computers have changed as well. It’s also very interesting that Roger Billings has helped invent so many different things.
Thank you so much for the scholarship. I truly respect you’re sacrifices!
Hi from Colorado! Thank you for doing Science Live and I loved it!
Cool air-powered robot! Crazy how many inventions Dr. B made.
FSD is very complicated, but interesting! Thanks for sharing that with me!
Being a student for Acellus makes me proud.
I love doing Acellus it has helped me the much more the other home school programs I hope I can continue doing it every year.
I’m so glad the internet was created. It has truly played a role in making advancements in education and life in general.
Thank You for making the Roger Billings scholarship an option!! We greatly appreciate it!
Computers have always been an interest of mine and a huge part of my life, so I’m eating this stuff up! I’m loving these videos and I can tell how much effort you guys put into each one.
Is Caleb still your favorite grandson?
I want to thank you for providing me the Roger Billings scholarship. It is the only way that I can attend Acellus. I greatly appreciate you finding ways to provide this opportunity. Thanks again.
Yeah same i like being an acellus student and learning about the cool stuff.
I loved the robot it was so cool. And I also loved how funny R-51 was. thank you for making acellus.
It is cool that people use to have a watch and clocks that made the sound tick and tock
Acellus is awsome.
here from alabama
I thought it was cool that Seiko made a watch made with real quarts inside the watch. I have a question for Dr. billings what is your favorite science project?
A robot that runs on air reminds me heavily of steampunk related stuff and that is so cool that we could be so close to something but yet so far it just goes to show how humanity will always create something new (or improve something old) and make it better and cooler.
watching from MI
This is so cool.
I also did a seed germinating project for my first ever science project. My pea plants grew more than anyone else in my class. I love science.
I love being an acellus student
I loved the robot from the 3d printer are there 5d printers to?
I love Acellus Gold!
This was a great live!!
I cant wait for next weeks video, this was amazing !
I really liked to know more about internet.
this was amazing and i think its crazy you almost lost your invetion
Greetings from MD!
That’s the best title to a podcast ive ever read
Howdy! Such a cool video this week.
Thankful for the internet.
Man i love science live
i enjoyed this weeks science video!
Why is it called internet.
I liked this science live.
Best yet ❤️💖
this is interesting.
Can’t wait for next one!!!
Acellus is so cool i wonder how it got it’s name Acellus. 🙂
This was another great and fun science live!! I loved all the different science fair ideas!
I loved learning more about the internet!
science fair seems so cool!
Watching in Colorado. Thank you for this episode.
My fav is Mr.Rogers
‘ ii absolutely love acellus im sooo glad this is the school ii chose to go to .🤗
Hello from CA!
I enjoy this weeks science live! I learned more about the internet.
I had no idea that there are crystals in a watch.
Greetings from New Jersey! This is my favorite thing to tune into each week, I learn something new each time.
I love r51
I love acellus.
Very informative per usual! Thank you!
enjoyed this thank you!!!
Great episode this week! Keep up the good work!
I learned about a robot that can have aired it. It’s so cool.
I think that the robot that runs on air is really cool because we could use it for underwater missions. I wonder how long it took to make the first quartz clock? I really enjoyed learning about FSD today!
Its s fun to learn about the internet!!!
that fridge joke was funny lol.
How much would a car or jet like that sell for?
Wonderful Science Live!
I watched the Artemis II launch yesterday. Can we talk about that on the next Science Live?
I enjoyed this a lot. Thank you!!
This is a really cool invention! I liked learning about the patents and the data centers too!
i loved this one and i love acellus
I love Science Live
What is the fastest CPU?
If you pressure a crystal you get voltage and if you send it back the crystal vibrates.
Science Live is the best!!!
I love watching these!
Electronic ice cream sounds a little dangerous lol
I always love learning about these interesting topics.
I love getting to watch these every week!
I enjoy learning the history of Dr. Billings inventions.
Watching from Georgia. I really like Science Live because I learn so much. I’m glad Dr. Billings is taking this time to help kids over Science. Science is really cool. Thank you for the scholarship and Science Live. I have a T-shirt shop on Amazon now because I learned about it from watching. I love to make new designs. It’s helped me be more creative. A few of my friends have bought shirts from me.
We would be lost without the Internet and technology. Not sure how they did it years ago.
Hey Dr.B,
I live in Canada and have different timezones so I usually watch the science live the day after it is uploaded since I am usually asleep when you guys are live. Am I still going to be eligible for the scholarship?
i will try and be on science live every week and i am so happy for all your work. If you have to sell the car and plane all of us are sorry. 🙁 from florida
A question for Dr. Billings: What is your next biggest goal in your life?
Loved learning about the internet since most of us use it everyday.