How My Training As An Inventioneer Altered Ethernet

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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 »

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3,153 Comments

  1. Josie

    Hey from Ohio, tonight’s live was so cool I loved how you taught us about proteges !

    Reply
    • Jenna

      Science live is sooooo cool

      Reply
  2. Sterling

    Even after literally getting laughed at, you still pulled through and changed the world of technology and the internet forever!

    Reply
  3. Manny

    Watching this from USA!!!!

    Reply
  4. Liyah

    I loved learning about Dr. Billings inventions

    Reply
  5. Genevieve

    It’s always so cool to hear how much Dr. B has influenced modern technology! ^^

    Reply
  6. Alaysia

    Thanks Dr B for your contributions to technology.

    Reply
  7. Gabriel

    How old were you when you made your invention DrB

    Reply
  8. Annabelle

    the fact that they kept telling you that your board would not work so many times and you proved them wrong over and over again i find very funny and that you stayed strong is very inspiring.

    Reply
  9. Sarah

    Amazing discovery of Dr. billings, such an incredible engineer,appreciate what we now use and how it all started

    Reply
  10. Alexandria

    Hi I am from Texas!

    Reply
  11. Safina

    Hello from Las Vegas

    Reply
  12. Lydia

    I LOVE the humor, but I love the knowledge I gain every episode I watch. Thank you Dr. Roger Billings! Thank you so much for hosting live and teaching us every Wednesday night!

    Reply
  13. Kanan

    Hello from Kansas!

    Reply
  14. Kamren

    Hello from mississippi

    Reply
  15. Amias

    This is crazy! How can it be that fast!!!

    Reply
  16. Javier

    R 51!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  17. Gianna

    Hello from Oklahoma!

    Reply
  18. Jotham

    Thanks for the science live.

    Reply
  19. Trayton

    Hi from Nebraska

    Reply
  20. Ximena

    Wow Dr Billings it’s great to learn about your contribution to the invention and success to what the internet is today.

    Reply
  21. Daniel

    I think they thought your method was so advanced for them that they didn’t want to give credit to something so genius.

    Reply
  22. Karlee

    loved the video!!

    Reply
  23. Paityn

    i love science live!!!!

    Reply
  24. Tyler

    hello, im from puerto rico. ethernet sounds crazy cool!

    Reply
    • Science LIVE

      Hi, Tyler!!! Science ROCKS! 🤩

      Reply
  25. Jrew

    Rodger Billing’s smarts and creativity keeps him involved in so many jobs. I lost count the many times he has been in engineering jobs.

    Reply
  26. Ayeden

    I like learning about networking.

    Reply
  27. Lainey

    Hello from KY!

    Reply
  28. Amelia

    I didn’t know a nanosecond is a billionth of a second, wow!

    Reply
  29. Ahmed

    It’s amazing how electricity can be used to transmit words in pictures

    Reply
  30. Ella

    The Proteges always explain complicated things so well.

    Reply
  31. Valerie

    Hi from Conneticut

    Reply
  32. Gabriella

    When was Ethernet made?

    Reply
  33. Moran

    Love the live!

    Reply
  34. Chloe

    Great live, I’m loving the ethernet series so far! Looking forward to next week.

    Reply
  35. Isabella

    This was great!

    Reply
  36. Elin

    Thank you Dr. Billings, for not giving up.

    Reply
  37. Dylan

    Computer and tech advances so fast, interesting to learn about

    Reply
  38. Kaleesi

    hello from Kansas.

    Reply
  39. Landon

    The ethernet is cool!

    Reply
  40. Jayden

    How long has Ethernet been around?

    Reply
  41. Armani

    Dr. Rodger billings is amazing.

    Reply
  42. Emma

    Hello from Washington!

    Reply
  43. Ryan

    I’m very interested in the 100 gig board. Super neat!

    Reply
  44. Lilianna

    Thank you Dr.Billings!

    Reply
  45. Parker

    Hi from WY

    Reply
  46. Ryan

    What’s going on! Howdy from Texas

    Reply
  47. Tyler

    hi from IL love these vids !!!!!!!!

    Reply
  48. Donovan

    hellooo from CA

    Reply
  49. Lily

    hi from wa

    Reply
  50. Gaige

    Hello from Virginia!

    Reply
  51. Mackenzie

    I’m interested in what Dr. Pajet’s opinion.

    Reply
  52. Breleigh

    I love science live!!

    Reply
  53. Helen

    Science live is very cool!

    Reply
  54. Eve

    I’m interested in her opinion

    Reply
  55. Noah

    Wow! Love what you’ve been doing with this ethernet series!

    Reply
  56. Claire

    How would Ethernet have changed if Dr. Billings had pursued a different career?

    Reply
  57. Emily

    I’m so glad it was successful!!!

    Reply
  58. Cayden

    How many people use the Ethernet

    Reply
  59. Charles

    Of course, we want Lady Pajet’s opinion!

    Reply
  60. Jaxxon

    Hi from Colorado

    Reply
  61. Madison

    Im so excited for this live!

    Reply
  62. Danica

    You guys are so funny! I love how educational these lives are! Can’t wait for the next one!

    Reply
  63. Julian

    Hello from Texas

    Reply
  64. Derek

    Hi from IL

    Reply
  65. Landon

    I would like to know her opinipn…

    Reply
  66. Dolores

    Hey from TX

    Reply
  67. Cayleigh

    I’m interested !*

    Reply
  68. Pablo

    The protégés segment today was really fun, thanks science live

    Reply
    • Eric

      loved the live like always

      Reply
  69. Leon

    Ethernet is so cool

    Reply
  70. Emilie

    YESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  71. Rody

    how difficult was it when you tried to disable collisions in networks?

    Reply
  72. Aria

    I didn’t know you could tie a cable into a lasso.

    Reply
  73. Marley

    hi from tx!

    Reply
  74. Lorelai

    Hi from MI!

    Reply
  75. Colton

    very interesting

    Reply
  76. Millie

    Yeah I’m interested in her opinion

    Reply
  77. Emma

    That’s a lot of wires.

    Reply
  78. Alyssa

    I love Science Live! It’s my favorite!!

    Reply
  79. Blake

    hi from colrado

    Reply
  80. Jade

    science is cool

    Reply
  81. Deepak

    I love science live

    Reply
  82. Mkaleb

    Hello from Louisiana

    Reply
  83. Connor

    hey from la

    Reply
  84. Leandro

    Great class

    Reply
  85. Henry

    Hey! Happy science live!

    Reply
    • Anthony

      I can’t wait for this live!

      Reply
    • Science LIVE

      Hi, Henry! Happy Wednesday! Science is the best!!! 😄

      Reply
  86. Lilly

    I love these 🙂 -Georgia

    Reply
  87. Kasen

    I love learning about Ethernet!

    Reply
  88. Kyleigh

    I’m glad the Internet has gotten faster over the years!

    Reply
  89. Jaylani

    What made physics be discovered?

    Reply
  90. Payton

    Hello from KY!

    Reply
  91. Kamari

    Hello from Alabama

    Reply
  92. Allyssa

    Hello from SC

    Reply
  93. Ryan

    If gigabytes of a second or so quick, how exactly do you measure how quick they’re going?

    Reply
  94. Christina

    Since two computers usually take a few seconds for the data to transfer from one computer to another, will it take longer with little to no internet connection than with decent internet connection?
    It somehow makes sense to me…

    Reply
  95. Kaylee

    I love science live!

    Reply
  96. Miguel

    Proud of the great progress you made Dr. Billings!

    Reply
  97. Jamel

    A hi from FL having a pretty good time in school

    Reply
  98. Vance

    Love seeing the Inventioneers demonstration about the Ethernet.

    Reply
  99. Gabriella

    I like the design on Dr. Roger Billings jacket

    Reply
  100. Aunika

    watched from sc

    Reply
  101. Ethan

    technology is really insane it shows how much we get from it

    Reply
  102. Hannah

    Hello from Texas!!

    Reply
  103. Jasmine

    What inspired the idea to make the internet streaming device???

    Reply
  104. Kristin

    Hi from Gainesville FL!

    Reply
  105. Leon

    Hello Mr. Tobias, in your opinion—what exactly does the accomplishment of resolving problems which were found within (computer/device) networks mean for the future of technology?

    Reply
  106. Millie

    Im Millie and I’m having pizza for dinner

    Reply
  107. Zaki

    this is exciting

    Reply
  108. Shaylyn

    Hi from Louisiana.

    Reply
  109. Javier

    Is there any thing called a ultra bite?

    Reply
  110. Ethan

    Another great science live!

    Reply
  111. Jaedrian

    I didn’t know that ron crane was an engineer who invented Ethernet great video

    Reply
  112. Ryan

    If gigabytes of a second are so quick how exactly can you calculate how quick they’re going?

    Reply
  113. Trenton

    Thanks Dr John that was so cool to learn.

    Reply
  114. Sophia

    Hi from Texas *

    Reply
  115. Simon

    Hello! From Texas!

    Reply
  116. Lawrence

    Yess! New episodes

    Reply
  117. Aadish

    Hi , from Germantown Maryland!

    Reply
  118. Leslie

    Howdy from TN

    Reply
  119. Ayaba

    I wonder why they thought he was faking when the invention was right in front of them 🧐

    Reply
  120. Larry

    That’s so awesome!

    Reply
  121. Jaydin

    Hello from Florida

    Reply
  122. Kade

    Wonderful show

    Reply
  123. Javier

    LETS GO SCINCE LIVEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  124. Rahel

    Wow, very exciting!

    Reply
  125. Jude

    Do the proteges come up with what they say on the spot when making their videos? or do they read what they say off a script?

    Reply
  126. Seth

    Great episode today!

    Reply
  127. Kaylee

    this is all very cool I love learning

    Reply
  128. Tristen

    i love scinec live

    Reply
  129. Keilyn

    what was the “collision problem” in early Ethernet, and how was it solved?

    Reply
  130. Gavin

    Hello everyone!!!

    Reply
  131. Michael

    The 100 gig concentrator board is really neat. this is very awesome to learn about.. i am learning so many great things tonight. so neat how the perfect signal looks.

    Reply
  132. Hayden

    Thats so fast!!

    Reply
  133. Anabeth

    I love the way yall explained it. I didn’t think that stuff like this came out in the seventy’s I figured it came out during the late 90s. I think it is pretty cool and I am so thankful.

    Reply
  134. Gianna

    Hello from Texas!

    Reply
  135. Landen

    how low can you get the concentrator to respond

    Reply
  136. Ella

    this is a quite interesting episode!

    Reply
  137. Walker

    thanks for your efforts

    Reply
  138. Jacob

    hello from texas

    Reply
  139. Javier

    How high do giga bite’s get?

    Reply
  140. Damaris

    Hi from Tx

    Reply
  141. Silas

    What is a nano second?

    Reply
  142. Pandora

    Hi from West Virginia

    Reply
  143. Riley

    Nano seconds are very small

    Reply
    • Kaleb

      Hello from GA

      Reply
  144. Devin

    hey from texas

    Reply
  145. Sebastian

    Hi from Texas!!!

    Reply
  146. Narelle

    hello from wi!

    Reply
  147. Bennett

    I like this episode.

    Reply
  148. Isadora

    The science lives are always so entertaining and exciting!

    Reply
  149. Cole

    hi SCIEnee LIVE

    Reply
  150. Audrey

    i am signed in

    Reply
  151. Randi

    I love science live it is my favorite!!!!

    Reply
  152. Elias

    hello from texas

    Reply
  153. Johnathan

    this video is very informational thank you

    Reply
  154. Iain

    The streams are always so fun to watch

    Reply
    • Sophia

      Science is so cool! Hello from NC!

      Reply
  155. Camden

    this is cool

    Reply
  156. Julie

    why is it called acellus

    Reply
  157. Levi

    All the inventions he has made is so cool

    Reply
  158. Ailissa

    Hello!! Thank you for this live, see you next time!

    Reply
  159. Sarah

    I love ACD2

    Reply
  160. Kane

    Good evening Mr.Roggers. That concentrator invention was ingenious. The fact that it could give and receive signals is cool.

    Reply
  161. Kaden

    Greetings from NC! Where did the first circuits come from?

    Reply
  162. Mandela

    were there any other solutions to this issue other than yours?

    Reply
  163. Madelyn

    What was your very first invention and how old were you when you invented it

    Reply
  164. Cameron

    It is so messed up how they treated Dr. B

    Reply
  165. Brynn

    So excited for today’s live! I always look forward to it.

    Reply
  166. Honor

    Hi from Georgia

    Reply
  167. Ashton

    Science Live Teaches Me So Much

    Reply
  168. Jordan

    When is the science fair?

    Reply
  169. Travis

    There is just so much going on with electronics, it seems there are infinite possibilities. So much to learn about. Glad to be here and learn what I have.

    Reply
  170. Carlenthon

    Interesting as usual, can’t wait for the next one.

    Reply
  171. Athena

    I love science live! Today topic of discussion is so cool.

    Reply
  172. Carolynn

    i wonder how electricity can do other stuff. ❤️💕😍😊

    Reply
  173. Mary

    Hello from New Jersey

    Reply
  174. Audrey

    im very interested in this

    Reply
  175. Brittany

    Hey From Illinois I am really loving the science videos.

    Reply

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