How My Training As An Inventioneer Altered Ethernet
Everyone said it was impossible. Engineers laughed and called it ‘The Billings Folly’ — as a joke. Then the entire internet adopted it, and now the whole world uses it.
Dr. Roger Billings tells the inside story of how full duplex gigabit Ethernet was invented, rejected at IEEE standards meetings, and eventually became the global standard behind modern internet, streaming video, and AI.
Discover the inventions that made it possible — the concentrator, the equalizer circuit, and the balanced hybrid circuit — and hear what happened when Ron Crane, the father of Ethernet himself, stepped in to defend 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 »
Jermaine from Ga here… tonight’s live is very interesting. I love learning new things.
Hi from Nebraska
What’s going on science live, I’m dropping in here from Texas.
This was a great video
Hi from Mississippi! This lesson is so cool!
Hello from Iowa
The resolution of the Ethernet colision problem is so cool, so excited for next week!
Hello from Montana
I love the new dynamic that David and Caleb have added to the science live videos, their acting is amazing and they both have a good sense of humor.
How long until you release the helicopter lessons. I am really interested
I had a wonderful time on this Science live, I’m looking forward to see you next time!
My brother loves computers and learning about it, so I’m excited to tell him about all we learn!!
Hello from Delaware
It is very interesting how computers changed over time.
From New Jersey, i loved the video!!
hi thank you taelyn
tobias’s story was interesting i thought
Even if you send a lot or too much, it won’t break?
Hello from Connecticut
hi from florida
hello from alabama !
i heard ethernet was the fastest gaming internet
I tear down parts and hard drives from laptops and computers before they are trashed.
It is really cool how somebody vented where somebody that cannot hear at all can hear again
Thanks for explaining this!
I love this
It was very cool to learn about Gigabit Ethernet.
Pinching the barbed wire won’t cause you to get shocked? Interesting.
I like science live it always gets interesting and interesting and interesting and interesting I really like
Hi Omar! We’re so glad you’re enjoying Science Live! Keep up the great work!
You created how we are watching this right now
Hi from MS!
is Ethernet and internet similar
that’s so cool
Hey from Texas!
I thought Tobias’ part about the history of Ethernet was really interesting
What dose buffering mean?
Comment. Hello from delaware
The video was amazing thank you
I enjoyed learning about WideBand.
Always love the live streams!! Thank you for all you guys do
Cool!
Hello from Tennessee 🙂
Super cool
What is a concentrator?
I am really enjoying this Science Live. I always wonder how a network of computers was able to send data without crashing. To know that it started with Dr Billings and the FIFO Chip amazes me.
YOOOOO thats sooo cool!!!!
Hi from Georgia
Hi Charlotte I know you are my favorite classmate in 4th grade 🥰
Hello from Las Vegas Nevada!
It stopped the collisions because they stopped and waited their turn but would be longer to send the message or data? or would it be a shorter time?
ethernet is cool 🙂
My favorite day of the week!
Hello from Iowa!
Why can’t you send data gigabyte speed with copper.
It so cool to see how it works
This is fun to learn about
It’s very interesting to me to learn more about the Ethernet!
done from Texas
Dr. Billings was a determined inventioneer – no one could stop him!
Hello from Kentucky!!
It’s super easy to overlook just how powerful WiFi and the internet is, we have so much information at our fingertips
Hello from Texas
computer parts are cool, how did people even make them?
Science Live is so engaging, fun, and informative!
the receiver is very big.
This episode was very entertaining and taught me a lot very happy!
These are so much fun
Love these lives!
hello everyone from newjersey!
Hello from the Bahamas.
I’ve never thought about how the internet or ethernet was made, but somehow I am always using the internet. This time I am glad I put the internet to something useful, science live.
I love this
I love science! Did you guys find r-51
science is my favorite class!
Every single time I watch science life and gets interesting and interesting and interesting I don’t know what to say about science live but it’s the best thing that I’ve ever seen
love this one!
internet is imperative in todays world, everything is instantaneous
When was the company wideband created
how many messages can go through them before they dont send anymore like how many computers and be sent at once? i have had this question stuck in my head seince the last live.
Wow how cool
This is so interesting!
This is really cool!
Thank you I understand it
Very interesting to learn more about Ethernet!
I love roger billings!!!!!!!
You and David are are awsome protegés 🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
Is there a way to make an invention different from Dr.B’s invention but using some of the same things?
Wow! Thats amazing, I love science live!
I love science
I never realized how much went into this!
Ethernet is very helpful when you need to send multiple things at once
Hai from Mississippi!!
Hello frome Delaware
Hello from California!
hello from mobile alabama
Which shows did they show it at?
What would we do without internet? !
Watching from Augusta ga.
Awesome and interesting information about ethernet
cool. I always like the inventioneering sections
Hi from Michigan!
that’s soooooooo cool I’m glad cody’s back
What has Dr. Billings not been involved in? Amazing
Hi Jessica! We couldn’t agree more! What an amazing mentor we have!
great episode!
being able to always have fast internet is so cool
Hello from Ohio
awesome. internet is crazy
Actually so cool
I love this for us
Hey from AL!
Hi from Texas! Enjoying this
Hello from Texas!
HELLO PROTEGES! LOVE YOU GUYS! y’all make my day brighter every time I see y’all!!!!!!!💞💘💝🤭
The way this is explained makes it really easy to understand!
Hi from Arizona
What is the difference between the Ethernet and the internet?
Science Quote of the week.
“I have not failed, i have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” -Thomas Edison, about the lightbulb.
Anyways, great show as always.
This is Lucas T. Checking in from Alabama.
Hello from Arizona
Hello from Rhode Island!!
hello from Tennessee
hi thank you so much Rodger Billings for making acellus, acellus makes learning fun and I apsalutly LOVE SCIENCE LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello from Geogria
Watching from Texas
Greetings from USA.
cool! i like learning new things
hello I love science live and learning new things.
thank you for everything you do for us. These weekly meetings help me learn so many new things.
hello from Texas
I live in Georgia and it’s super hot. Also I love WiFi and the internet so thanks
Hello Dr billings! I really like this episode
What is the max amount of gigabits?
How would the computer detect a collision?
This is epic!
how long have you been running Science Live, and has Pajet been a part of it since the beginning?
I love science live.
Did he create the gigabit?
What’s in an ethernet cable?
hi from texas
hi from NJ. tonights science live is so cool
Cars in traffic is a good analogy.
Hello from Maryland! Loving it so far!
How would someone who hasn’t had any prior knowledge start the process to understand the way the ethernet works / operates?
Hi from Tennessee <3
Hello from North Carolina! Its so cool hearing about how working through the problems even when they get hard, and how well it pays off! The rainbow at the end of a storm!
hi from tennessee
Hello, It’s Zariyana , I’m watching from Chicago.
Hello from Arizona
I loved tonight’s live!
Dr. Billings is so smart! He’s invented so much.
I am not doubting it’s hard but it would be cool if I invented something, I don’t know what.
what is a invetour?
what else is Ethernet also used for beside streaming videos
Science Live is so engaging, fun, and informative!
This ethernet series is interesting!!
I thought it was mega bites not bits?
What does FSD stand for?
I like science live
what is a MB?
Dr.B should cameo in a protege video.
hi from nc
What inspired you to be become a inventor?
Wish I had to watch this everyday!
hi from tn
How do you handle/manage to make inventions while dealing with criticisms?
I think we’re all spoiled with how easy it is to access uninterruptedhigh speed Internet
Hello from Alabama. Internet is very important in our home. We stream almost everything so its so cool to see how internet can improve through eternity connecting.
hello from tn!
The networking system is so interesting!!
Hello from New York!!
Can they invent a hear machine to the person who can’t hear
Can the chip go 10x faster because if you put it like 5x slower it’s not going to work
I like when they teach you in the 17,18,19
Ms
How long does it take to create a balance circuit?
How does it work
How did someone come up with the idea for Ethernet?
I never knew the Ethernet even existed until now
Wouldnt be able to live without WiFi. THANKS
I did not realize the Ethernet started with Dr. Billings
what was the first circuit you made
hi from ct
nice video I love how they give so much detail
hello from new york