The Invention That Made the Internet Possible
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.
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I wish there was more science live like everyday instead of every week.
What shocked me the most was a 3D printed plastic moving by pressured air! It can’t do given orders as coded robots with electronic parts can, but they can probably be really useful in the future. Very impressive!
That is absolutely fascinating about the quarts in the watches and the differences between the spring loaded ones
im from Kentucky
Air powered robot amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ¡!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Side quest Find the imposter
love this
I never knew how the air robot worked until now.
I love the three d printed robot it’s a very intuitive idea. I wonder if we could take this to the next level in terms of technology and undersea exploration.
I find it interesting how the robot can adapt.
I think printing the robot was cool how it just worked.
Wow. so cool to learn how the internet was made.
this is amazing science live!
It is really cool that dr B helped make the internet. Did you dream it and then make it real?
Another great video.
Science live is always interesting.
I’m so glad they started adding chapters.
Dr.Billings is sco cool
where is live science live filmed? I would love to watch in person!
This is such a cool science live video.
We wouldn’t be here at the science live without the internet!
Dr B is awesome with his videos.
Fast speeding computers! Got to love internet
The “Its on the fridge!” joke was super funny.
i liked the part about J Willard Marriott
Technology really has come a long way. Thanks for another great episode!
I can’t imagine life today without the Internet!
I think changing the Wi-Fi password is so funny!
I love this sooo much.
R51s Ice cream sounds amazing!
Dr. Billings is so smart!
Science lives make learning so much fun.
I like how Dr. Billings pursued a simpler solution for Mr. Marriott, rather than a more complicated one.
internet makes life much easier
thankful for this invention
Another great science live!
Wow I really liked learning how the internet was made imagine a world with no internet that would be weird, I love the way acellus teaches it makes me laugh and want to learn more at the same time
Thank you for. Offering this scholarship it really does teach me a lot
computers are so cool now!
Science is so cool
Acellus makes learning much easier!
Internet is an amazing thing!!!
This is my favorite episode
Computers are so cool
I promise I will study more Mr. Billings
PS I’m a A-B student
This was a really good science live!
We love the world wide internet
Loved this!! It was very captivating!!
I learned that the internet is older than my mom.
I had no idea that the ethernet cable used to be made of a coaxial cable!
This made me think back to Young Sheldon episodes when he was wanting a computer and they were just coming out
This is so cool!
i love the internet and now i know they made it
thanks for making science live
That little robot is so cool
Dr. Billings I appreciate you so much! The scholarship really helps my mom.
Love science live.
You have a lot of patents!
Catching up on the episodes and this was a great one!
Especially at the start with the 3D printed invention and that it can go underwater despite being run on air! All in all very cool episode
I love these videos
Excellent video
This is so fun
I LOVE SCIENCE!!!
This was a awesome video!!
its crazy how we still use this so much.
Dr.billings is so awesome!
….A robot that runs on AIR!?
Loved learning about the internet since most of us use it everyday.
Enjoyed learning the history of how it began
My favorite ice cream is cookie dough! By the way my favorite invention was the spin-her.
the internet is aswesome
R51 is awesome
Great lessons, thank you!!
I love science live, these lessons are great.
My older brother watched r-51 with me this week and he thought it was great! he was laughing the whole time!
Bravo Dr. Billings! You rock!
loved this weeks science live!
A robot that runs on air! That is amazing. Technologically, we really can do anything.
This is interesting
I love r 51
The robot was sooo cool
What an invention.
Way to go, great content.
Dr. Billings is the COOLEST of all the cool
I really enjoyed watching this!!
I love science live
it was so interesting that they put a tuning fork in a watch
i love science live ~!
So cool! thanks Dr. B!
The internet is cool
this science live was the greatest of all an acellus has helped me so much thank you
It’s amazing how much science and research went into the internet
I can’t live without the internet! Lol
Crazy how fast the computer/Internet evolved! I find Science live super interesting – thank you for the scholarship
Thank you for offering the scholarship!
This was a fascinating video.
I LOVE SCIENCE LIVEEEEEE. PS THAT ONTHEFRIDGE WIFI THING WAS PRETTY FUNNY
I love your jet!
I love learning
See you next Wednesday
the internet evolved so quick!
I also use Ethernet for my gaming computer.
I would like to know more about Garlic super food.
The internet has come a long way!
So air can be used as electricity too???
Such a good episode! It’s was so cool to learn that Dr. Roger Billings invented Universal Networking!
its amazing what we have in todays world
What a great science live thank you!!
I love watching science live
Dr Billings your amazing. I loved learning about how the internet became possible
This was amazing.cant wait for next week!
Hi from HollyPond Alabama. Dr Billings is role model.Thank you for sharing all your cool inventions.You make learning interesting and fun. I can’t wait to watch the next science live
Every invention has trial and error you have to fine tune things until it becomes perfect.Learning about servers is pretty neat.
I think it is interesting how the first watch used a tuning fork inside.
This episode was one of my favorites ever, getting the story from Dr. Billing was really great. I loved it.
Science live is so much fun
It was interesting learning about the internet.
It was cool to learn about how the watch was made and how it works.
hi from mississippi
I never competed in a science fair, but I might this year!!!!!
Thanks Mr.Billings for all your support and wisdom. You are a great person. Internet one of the best inventions. R51 great.
Really love watching!!
This is so amazing.
Thanks Mr. Billing for all your help and support, you are an inspiration for us. Internet a great invention. R51 so great.
wow this one is amazing!
one of the best lives i’ve seen!
The internet is like the biggest invention ever everybody uses the internet. For example, gps is a big thing to get you to the right destination that you want so internet is very important for modern day living.
It’s so crazy to see how much computers have changed!
Acellus is the best online program for me!
I would love to invent something but I don’t know where to start. I can’t figure out a problem to solve that is actually of value.
I love learning about the early beginnings of the Internet.
Good science live this week
I loved how Roger Billings explained his invention!!!
I love the internet, so happy this was invented
Science is so cool
wow thats really cool
this makes things for me easier since im a visual learner
That is wild the robot is walking with just air!
Love this. So cool.
This is so cool how this works
The internet is such a big thing now and it is so cool to learn about it!
The internet is fasinating to learn about.
So cool how far computers have come.
How did they get the idea for the air powered robot.
how did they make the robot that is powered by air.
We rely so much on the internet now! Another amazing science live!
these episodes are so fun to watch thanks Acellus!
Imagine how the world would be if we didn’t have internet.
I love Science Live. I do not always watch it right away but I always watch it. Thank you for all the information you share here. R51 my favorite ice cream is vanilla. I loved learning about watches and the important computer discoveries brought about the internet.
yet another great science live. loved it!
Thanks for another great video this week!
Its so cool seeing how fast the internet is now.
Its so cool seeing a little robot working with air and moved by itself with the wires still connected
It’s hard to think that something I use in my everyday day life used to be just an idea.
I love science live
The way the Internet made life so much easier amazes me! Dr. Billings, I’m sorry you might have to give up your Rolls Royce. 🥺 But we’ll make it worthwhile! Especially me! 😊 Also, R51, my favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate. Your ice cream truck is impressive.
Dear Students of Acellus,
As you continue your studies and engage with Live sessions, I want to remind you of a simple but powerful truth: your effort today shapes your tomorrow. Here are a few thoughts to keep you motivated:
Stay curious: Approach each lesson as a chance to discover something new about the world and about yourself.
Set small goals: Break your study time into manageable steps and celebrate the progress you make, even on busy days.
Engage actively: Take notes, ask questions, and participate in Live sessions — your active participation makes learning stick.
Maintain balance: Pair focused study with rest, physical activity, and time with loved ones to keep your energy high.
Keep perspective: While conversations about wealth and luxury can sometimes surface, your true value comes from the knowledge you gain and the character you build.
If you ever feel discouraged, remember why you started and reach out to teachers or peers for support. You have the tools to succeed, and your dedication will pay off.
A gentle note on current headlines: there have been discussions in some circles about high-end possessions (for example, a luxury car valued at several million dollars). Such conversations can be intriguing, but they don’t define your worth or your future. Your commitment to learning is what will truly drive your success.
Wishing you perseverance and success in every lesson study hard
Sincerely,
[harlyne]
I love learning about Dr. Billings inventions. He has achieved so much. You can tell how much education and the acellus students mean to him. Thank you Dr. Billings !!
Inventions are so important for the world.
I really appreciate y’all talking about this, its super cool!
WOW I am so surprised that just air could power a 3d printed robot!! That’s so cool!!
Hi from utah
these live make learing so much more interesting.
Can you guys talk about the P-51 Mustang?
I was wandering how do I attend science live in person?
It’s cool how the robot can move with just running on air!
I love watching theses
My brain will never fully be able to comprehend how the internet works ,(and bluetooth also) it’s just so facinating!
Internet is so interesting to learn about!
Dr Billings thank you for this live.
I really enjoy these live I learn different technologies every time.
Oh man, what would we do without the internet!
hello I have a question about your favorite color.
It was cool to learn all that!
I love science live
I learned so much about Universal Networking and how it came to be. It was interesting that it allowed the internet to scale many users without being bogged down. That is a big scientific advancement!