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Date of birth
Linus Torvald was born in Helsinki, Finland in 1969. His parents where Anna and Nils Torvald. They where both journalists and activists on the campus of The University of Helsinki. -
Linus began taking an interest in coding
While he was always curious and inquisitive as a child, Linus only really began his exploration of the world of computer science in the year of 81. -
Began Attending University of Helsinki
He began his college education in 1988 and joined the NODES research group -
Was enlisted in the Finnish Military
Linus was focred to complete mandatory military time for the Finish army. This put a slow on his studies but he still finished college with his masters degree in computer science -
Purchased the book 'Operating systems and Implementation'
During his time in the army, Linus read the book Operating systems and implementation by Andrew Tenebaum. This book is said to have influenced Linus's interest in Computer science -
Returned to University after Military
After returning to the University after completing his military time, Torvald found himself interacting with the Unix system for the first time. This Unix system would go on to be influential on Torvald and his contribution to the field. -
Creates Linux Kernel
After experimenting with operating systems in his University studies, Torvald creates and uploads his beginning model of the code that would go on to become the Linux system -
Slackware is released
Slackware was a distribution of Linux that included TCP/IP stack and Window X system. This was one of the most succesful distributions of the Linux systems at the time, and the first as well. -
release of Redhat
Redhat is another distributor of Linux on their own system. Redhat is an organization that has provided open source software for years and got its start with Linux. -
Trademark disagreement with Croce
Based on a 1994 trademark, William R. Della Croce Jr. claimed that he legally owned the name linux and attempted to claim royalties in court from Torvald. The community of Linux rallied behind its creator and supported him during the proceedings. -
Torvald wins trademark dispute with Croce
In 1995 after legal proceedings that dealt with the trademarked name linux, the court settled in favor of Torvald and his supporters and the name Linux continued to be royalty free. The lawsuit created by Croce was void -
Linux foundation group is formed
Out of need for a concrete community, the users of Linux formed the Linux foundation, an organization based on supporting Linux and the work of its creator Linus Torvald. Not only support linux, but the group also intended to protect linux and what linux stood for as a software in terms of freedom and information. -
version 2.4 is released
Version 2.4 of the software is released and it is refereed to as a large step forward for Linux. 2.4 included support for USB, PC cards, ISA plug and play and several other software based features that where not previously included. -
release of Linux Mint. 1.0 ADA
Linux mint was made to 'embrace new technologies'. This version of Linux was more focused on staying adaptable to what the users wanted. -
release of 2.6 version 3.0
This is a version of Linux that was released more recently than most.
