Linus Torvalds

Linus Benedict Torvalds, born on 28 December 1969, is a Finnish and American software engineer best known for creating the Linux kernel in 1991. He has been the main developer of this important part of computer systems ever since.

Besides the Linux kernel, Torvalds also created Git, a distributed version control system that helps people work together on computer programs. This tool is widely used by developers around the world.

In 2012, Torvalds received the Millennium Technology Prize for making a new open source operating system for computers. His work has had a big impact on how computers operate today. He has also been honored with the 2014 IEEE Computer Society Computer Pioneer Award and the 2018 IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award.

Life and career

Linus Torvalds was born in Helsinki, Finland, on 28 December 1969. His parents were journalists, and he grew up in a family that spoke Swedish. Linus became interested in computers when he was 11 years old and started programming on a small computer called a VIC-20.

Linus studied at the University of Helsinki and later created the Linux operating system in 1991. Linux has become very popular and is used all around the world. Linus also created a tool called Git that helps people work together on computer programs. He has received many awards for his work, including the 2012 Millennium Technology Prize.

Authority and trademark

Linus Torvalds wrote about 2% of the Linux kernel himself, even though many people helped make it. He decides which new code can be added to the main version of Linux.

Torvalds owns the name "Linux" and watches how it is used, mostly through the Linux Mark Institute.

Other software

See also: Git § History

In 2005, Linus Torvalds started creating Git, a special tool that helps people work together on computer programs. This tool became very popular and is used by many around the world.

Torvalds also made a program called Subsurface to help people plan and record underwater adventures. This program is free for everyone to use. Another tool he created, called Sparse, helps people who work on computer systems find mistakes in their work.

Personal life

Linus Torvalds is married to Tove Torvalds, a six-time Finnish national karate champion. They met in 1993 when he was teaching a computer class and she sent him an email asking for a date. They have three daughters together.

Torvalds describes himself as someone who does not follow any religion. He has lived in different places, moving from Silicon Valley to Portland, Oregon in 2004. In 2010, he became a United States citizen. He enjoys scuba diving and has created a project called Subsurface to help others enjoy this activity.

Awards and achievements

Linus Torvalds received the 2012 Millennium Technology Prize for creating a new open source operating system for computers. This led to the widely used Linux kernel.

Media recognition

Time magazine has honored Linus Torvalds several times. In 2000, readers of Time voted him 17th among the most important people of the century. In 2004, Time named him one of the world’s most influential people. Also in 2006, the European version of Time called him one of the revolutionary heroes of the past 60 years.

Other honors include the 2000 Award for Industry Achievement from InfoWorld, and being named one of the best managers by BusinessWeek in 2005. In 2004, Finnish television viewers ranked him 16th in a list of the greatest Finns. In 2010, he was included in a book about the world’s most influential inventors. In 2017, the Linux company SUSE created a song called “Linus Said” about how the Linux kernel began.