Linus Benedict Torvalds is born in Helsinki, Finland, to Nils Torvalds and Anna Torvalds. He is named after Linus Pauling, the American chemist and double Nobel laureate.

Linus's interest in computers is sparked by his grandfather, Leo Törnqvist, a statistician, who owned a Commodore VIC-20. Linus begins programming on this machine, laying the foundation for his future career.

Linus undergoes mandatory military service in Finland, serving in the Nyland Brigade as a calculation officer. This experience allows him to save money for his own computer.

Linus enrolls at the University of Helsinki, studying computer science. His academic work provides him with a deeper understanding of operating systems and computer architecture.

Linus buys his own IBM PC, which he uses to develop Linux. This is a pivotal moment, as it provides him with the hardware necessary to pursue his programming ambitions.