Linus Torvalds

Overview

Linus Torvalds, a name synonymous with the open-source revolution, is a Finnish-American software engineer best known as the creator and, for a long time, principal developer of the Linux kernel. His work laid the foundation for the operating system that powers everything from smartphones to supercomputers. This timeline highlights key moments in his life, showcasing the evolution of a brilliant mind that reshaped the technological landscape.

Main Milestones

Birth in Helsinki, Finland

December 28, 1969

Linus Benedict Torvalds was born in Helsinki, Finland, to Nils Torvalds and Anna Torvalds. He was named after Linus Pauling, the American chemist and Nobel laureate, reflecting his family's academic background and interest in science.

Early Exposure to Computing

Early 1980s

Linus's interest in computers began early, inspired by his maternal grandfather, Leo Törnqvist, a professor of statistics, who introduced him to programming on a Commodore VIC-20. He immersed himself in programming, mastering BASIC and later assembly language, laying the groundwork for his future endeavors.

The Genesis of Linux

1991

Frustrated with the limitations of MINIX, a Unix-like operating system, Linus, then a computer science student at the University of Helsinki, started working on his own operating system kernel as a hobby project. On August 25, 1991, he announced his creation on the comp.os.minix newsgroup, marking the birth of Linux.

GNU General Public License Adoption

1992

A crucial decision in Linux's history was the adoption of the GNU General Public License (GPL). This licensing model allowed anyone to freely use, modify, and distribute Linux, fostering a collaborative development environment and fueling its rapid growth.

Linux Kernel Development Leadership

1990s - 2000s

Linus remained the central figure in Linux kernel development, meticulously reviewing and merging code contributions from thousands of developers worldwide. His technical expertise and leadership were instrumental in shaping Linux into the powerful and versatile operating system it is today.

Move to Transmeta

1997

Linus moved to the United States to work at Transmeta Corporation, a company focused on developing low-power x86-compatible microprocessors. This move provided him with a stable income while allowing him to continue working on the Linux kernel.

Move to Open Source Development Labs (OSDL)

2003

Linus left Transmeta to work full-time on Linux, under the auspices of the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), later merged into the Linux Foundation. This provided him with greater resources and freedom to focus on kernel development and community management.

Creation of Git

2005

Following a dispute over the use of BitKeeper, a proprietary version control system, Linus created Git, a distributed version control system. Git quickly became the industry standard and revolutionized software development by enabling efficient collaboration and code management.

Ongoing Leadership and Advocacy

Present

Linus continues to lead the development of the Linux kernel, maintaining its stability, security, and performance. He remains an outspoken advocate for open-source software and plays a significant role in shaping the direction of the technology industry. His influence extends far beyond the Linux kernel, impacting the entire software development ecosystem.