Linus Torvalds
Creator of Linux and Git
Why They Changed Society
Linus Torvalds created two pieces of software that underpin modern civilization. Linux, started as a hobby project in 1991, now runs the vast majority of the world's servers, all of the top 500 supercomputers, every Android phone, and much of the internet's infrastructure. Git, created in 2005, revolutionized how software is built collaboratively and enabled the open-source movement to scale globally. By choosing open-source licenses, Torvalds ensured these tools belong to everyone, enabling billions of dollars in innovation and proving that collaborative, open development can produce software superior to any proprietary alternative.
Impact by the Numbers
2 billion+
Devices Running Linux
20,000+
Kernel Contributors
100%
Supercomputers Using Linux
Timeline
Posted to a Usenet newsgroup: 'I'm doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won't be big and professional).'
Released Linux kernel version 1.0, marking its maturity as a production-ready operating system.
Created Git in just two weeks to manage Linux kernel development after a licensing dispute with BitKeeper.
Google launched Android, built on the Linux kernel, bringing Linux to billions of mobile devices.
Awarded the Millennium Technology Prize for creating Linux, recognizing its global impact.
Key Contributions
Linux Kernel (1991)
Created the operating system kernel that now powers most of the world's computing infrastructure.
Git (2005)
Built the distributed version control system that became the standard tool for software collaboration worldwide.
Open Source Movement
Demonstrated that open-source development can produce enterprise-grade software, inspiring thousands of projects.
Notable Quotes
“Software is like sex: it's better when it's free.
“Talk is cheap. Show me the code.
“Most good programmers do programming not because they expect to get paid, but because it is fun to program.