Linus Torvalds: How do you feel about your influence?
Aalto Talk with Linus Torvalds, hosted by Aalto Center for Entrepreneurship in Otaniemi on June 14, 2012. Linus was interviewed by Will Cardwell, followed by a Q&A session with the audience. Enjoy!
Linus Torvalds
Linus Benedict Torvalds is a Finnish software engineer who is the creator and, historically, the lead developer of the Linux kernel, used by Linux distributions and other operating systems such as Android. He also created the distributed version control system, Git.
Torvalds was born in Helsinki, Finland, on December 28, 1969. He began programming at a young age, and in 1991, while a student at the University of Helsinki, he started working on the Linux kernel. The kernel is the core of an operating system, providing the essential functions that allow a computer to run programs.
Torvalds released the first version of the Linux kernel in 1991, and it quickly became popular among computer enthusiasts. The kernel was free and open source, meaning anyone could download and modify it. This led to a large community of developers contributing to the kernel, and it has grown into one of the most popular operating systems in the world.
In addition to the Linux kernel, Torvalds has also created other software projects, including the Git version control system. Git is a popular tool for tracking changes to code, and many open-source projects use it.
Torvalds is a recipient of the Millennium Technology Prize, the IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award, and the ACM Grace Hopper Award. He is also a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Torvalds is a controversial figure, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most influential figures in the history of computing. He has had a profound impact on software development, and his work has made it possible for millions of people to use computers in ways that would not have been possible before.
Here are some of Linus Torvalds’s most notable achievements:
- Created the Linux kernel, which is the core of the Linux operating system.
- Created the Git version control system, a popular tool for tracking changes to code.
- He has received numerous awards for his work on Linux and Git, including the Millennium Technology Prize and the IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award.
- He is a member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Linus Torvalds is a true pioneer in the field of computing. His work has had a profound impact on how software is developed, and his contributions will continue to be felt for many years.