关于 Linux 和 Git 的创造者 Linus Torvalds 的 20 件趣事
Linus Torvalds

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> 一些已知的、或鲜为人知的事情 —— 这里有 20 件关于 Linux 内核创造者 Linus Torvalds 的趣事。
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![Linus Torvalds，Linux 和 Git 的创造者](/data/attachment/album/202209/23/170142xi8qc1g3w1i8rrsd.png)


[Linus Benedict Torvalds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds)（林纳斯·本纳第克特·托瓦兹），在 1991 年还是一名攻读硕士的芬兰学生时，他开发了一个类 Unix 操作系统。从那时起，它引发了一场革命：今天，它为大多数 Web 服务器、许多嵌入式设备和 [500 强超级计算机](https://itsfoss.com/linux-runs-top-supercomputers/) 中的每一台提供支持。


我已经写过一些鲜为人知的 [关于 Linux 的事实](https://itsfoss.com/facts-linux-kernel/)，但这篇文章不是关于 Linux 的，而是关于它的创造者，Linus Torvalds。


通过阅读他的传记《<ruby> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0066620732?tag=AAWP_PLACEHOLDER_TRACKING_ID">  只是为了好玩 </a> <rt>  Just for Fun </rt></ruby>》，我了解了有关 Torvalds 的许多事情。如果你有兴趣，你也可以 [订购一本传记](https://www.amazon.com/dp/0066620732?tag=AAWP_PLACEHOLDER_TRACKING_ID)。（这是一个 [受益推荐](https://itsfoss.com/affiliate-policy/) 链接。）


### 关于 Linus Torvalds 的 20 个有趣事实


你可能已经知道一些关于 Linus 的事情，但是通过阅读这篇文章，你很有可能会了解一些关于他的新趣事。


#### 1、以诺贝尔奖获得者的名字命名


Linus Benedict Torvalds 于 1969 年 12 月 28 日出生于赫尔辛基。他来自一个记者家庭。他的父亲 [Nils Torvalds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nils_Torvalds) 是芬兰政治家，可能是未来参加选举的总统候选人。


他的名字来自于诺贝尔化学与和平奖的双奖获得者 [Linus Pauling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling) 的名字。


#### 2、世界上所有的 Torvalds 都是亲戚


虽然你可能会找到几个名字为 Linus 的人，但你不会找到很多姓 Torvalds 的人 —— 因为“正确”的拼写实际上是 Torvald（没有 s）。他的祖父将名字从 Torvald 改为 Torvalds，并在末尾添加了一个“s”。于是，Torvalds 王朝（如果我可以这么称呼它的话）开始了。


由于这是一个不寻常的姓氏，所以世界上只有不到 30 个 Torvalds，而且他们都是亲戚，这是 Linus Torvalds 在他的传记中说的。


![年轻的 Linus Torvalds 和他的记者妹妹 Sara Torvalds](/data/attachment/album/202209/23/170142gznamcqolccoaoco.jpg)


#### 3、他的第一台电脑是 Commodore Vic 20


10 岁时，Linus 开始在他外祖父的 Commodore Vic 20 上使用 BASIC 编写程序。这使他发现自己对计算机和编程的热爱。


#### 4、Linus Torwalds 少尉


尽管他更喜欢花时间在电脑上而不是体育活动上，但他必须参加强制性的军事训练。他的军衔是少尉。


#### 5、因为他没有钱购买 UNIX，他创造了 Linux


1991 年初，出于对 [MS-DOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-DOS) 和 [MINIX](https://www.minix3.org/) 不满意，Torvalds 想购买一套 UNIX 系统。对我们来说幸运的是，他没有足够的钱。因此，他决定从头开始制作自己的 UNIX 复制品。


#### 6、Linux 可以被称为 Freax


1991 年 9 月，Linus 发布了 Linux（代表 “Linus's MINIX”）并鼓励他的同好们使用其源代码进行更广泛的分发。


Linus 认为 Linux 这个名字太自负了。他想把它改成 Freax（基于 free、freak 和 MINIX），但他的朋友 Lemmarke 已经在 FTP 服务器上创建了一个名为 Linux 的目录。因此，Linux 的名称才得以沿用下来。（LCTT 译注：这个故事和我听到的不同。）


#### 7、Linux 是他在大学的主要项目


《Linux：一种可移植的操作系统》是他的硕士论文题目。


#### 8、他娶了他的学生


1993 年，他在赫尔辛基大学任教时，给学生们布置了一份写电子邮件的作业。是的，当时撰写电子邮件没那么简单。


一位名叫 Tove Monni 的女学生完成了这项任务，给他发送一封电子邮件，并邀请他出去约会。他接受了，三年后，他们三个女儿中的第一个出生了。


我应该说他开创了网恋的潮流吗？嗯……不！让我们就此打住 :wink:


![Linus Torvalds 和他的妻子 Tove Monni Torvalds](/data/attachment/album/202209/23/170142ou8bescyztesszbk.jpg)


#### 9、Linus 有一颗以他的名字命名的小行星


他的名字获得了无数荣誉，包括一颗名为 [9793 Torvalds](http://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1928421) 的小行星。


#### 10、Linus 不得不为 Linux 的商标而战


Linux 是 Linus Torvalds 的注册商标。Torvalds 最初并不关心这个商标，但在 1994 年 8 月，William R. Della Croce, Jr. 注册了 Linux 商标，并开始向 Linux 开发人员索要版税。作为回应，Torvalds 起诉了他，并于 1997 年解决了此案。


#### 11、史蒂夫·乔布斯希望他为苹果公司的 macOS 工作


2000 年，苹果公司的创始人 [史蒂夫·乔布斯邀请他为苹果公司的 macOS 工作](https://www.macrumors.com/2012/03/22/steve-jobs-tried-to-hire-linux-creator-linus-torvalds-to-work-on-os-x/)。Linus 拒绝了这个报酬丰厚的提议，并继续致力于开发 Linux 内核。


#### 12、Linus 还创建了 Git


大多数人都知道 Linus Torvalds 创建 Linux 内核，但他还创建了 [Git](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git)，这是一个广泛用于全世界的软件开发的版本控制系统。


直到 2005 年，（当时）专有服务 [BitKeeper](https://www.bitkeeper.org/) 还用于 Linux 内核的开发。而当 Bitkeeper 关闭其免费服务时，Linus Torvalds 自己创建了 Git，因为其他版本控制系统都不能满足他的需求。


#### 13、如今 Linus 几乎不编程


尽管 Linus 全职从事 Linux 内核工作，但他几乎不再为它编写任何代码。事实上，Linux 内核中的大部分代码都来自世界各地的贡献者。他在内核维护人员的帮助下，确保每个版本发布都能顺利进行。


#### 14、Torvalds 讨厌 C++


Linus Torvalds 极其 [不喜欢 C++ 编程语言](https://lwn.net/Articles/249460/)，并对此直言不讳。他开玩笑说 Linux 内核的编译速度都比 C++ 程序快。


#### 15、即使是 Linus Torvalds 也发现 Linux 难以安装（现在你可以自我感觉良好了）


几年前，Linus 说过 [他发现 Debian 难以安装](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHGTs1NSB1s)。众所周知，他 [在他的主要工作站上使用 Fedora](https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/Wh3qTjMMbLC)。


#### 16、他喜欢水肺潜水


Linus Torvalds 喜欢水肺潜水。他甚至创造了一种供水肺潜水员使用的潜水记录工具 [Subsurface](https://subsurface-divelog.org/)。你会惊讶地发现，有时他甚至会在论坛上回答一些普通问题。


![穿着潜水装备的 Linus Torvalds](/data/attachment/album/202209/23/170142tejo9eqqfazh8jkh.jpg)


#### 17、满嘴脏话的 Torvalds 改善了他的行为


Torvalds 以在 Linux 内核邮件列表中使用 [轻度脏话](https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/08/26/linus_torvalds_calls_own_lawyers_nasty_festering_disease/) 而闻名，这遭到了一些业内人士的批评。但是，很难批评他对 “[F\*\*k you, NVIDIA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_36yNWw_07g)” 的玩笑，因为它促使英伟达为 Linux 内核提供了更好的适配。


2018 年，[Torvalds 暂时离开了 Linux 内核开发，以改善他的行为](https://itsfoss.com/torvalds-takes-a-break-from-linux/)。这是在他签署有争议的 [Linux 内核开发人员行为准则](https://itsfoss.com/linux-code-of-conduct/) 之前完成的。


![Linus Torvalds 对英伟达的中指：去你的！英伟达](/data/attachment/album/202209/23/170142aqtlqpzl2bbqgl2b.jpg)


#### 18、他太害羞了，不敢在公共场合讲话


Linus 对公开演讲感到不舒服。他不怎么参加活动。而当他必须参加时，他更喜欢坐下来接受主持人的采访。这是他最喜欢的公开演讲方式。


#### 19、他不是社交媒体爱好者


[Google Plus](https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds) 是他使用过的唯一社交媒体平台。他甚至在空闲时花了一些时间 [点评了小组件](https://plus.google.com/collection/4lfbIE)。Google Plus 现已停用了，因此他没有其他社交媒体帐户。


#### 20、Torvalds 定居在美国


Linus 于 1997 年移居美国，并与他的妻子 Tove 和他们的三个女儿在那里定居。他于 2010 年成为美国公民。目前，作为 [Linux 基金会](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/) 的成员，他全职从事 Linux 内核工作。


很难说 Linus Torvalds 的净资产是多少，或者 Linus Torvalds 的收入是多少，因为这些信息从未公开过。


![Tove 和 Linus Torvalds 和他们的女儿 Patricia、Daniela 和 Celeste](/data/attachment/album/202209/23/170143b5rq1ar6rffcrfrn.jpg)


如果你有兴趣了解更多有关 Linus Torvalds 早期生活的信息，我建议你阅读他的传记，书名为 《<ruby> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/0066620732?tag=AAWP_PLACEHOLDER_TRACKING_ID">  只是为了好玩 </a> <rt>  Just for Fun </rt></ruby>》。


*免责声明：这里的一些图片来源于互联网，我没有图像的版权，我也不打算用这篇文章侵犯 Torvalds 家族的隐私。*




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via: <https://itsfoss.com/linus-torvalds-facts/>


作者：[Abhishek Prakash](https://itsfoss.com/) 选题：[lkxed](https://github.com/lkxed) 译者：[gpchn](https://github.com/gpchn) 校对：[wxy](https://github.com/wxy)


本文由 [LCTT](https://github.com/LCTT/TranslateProject) 原创编译，[Linux中国](https://linux.cn/) 荣誉推出


OK
![Warp Terminal](/assets/images/warp-terminal.webp)


![Warp Terminal](/assets/images/warp-terminal.webp)

*Brief: Some known, some lesser known – here are 20 facts about the Linus Torvalds, creator of the Linux kernel.*

![Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux and Git](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/12/Linus-Torvalds-featured-800x450.png)

[Linus Torvalds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds?ref=itsfoss.com), a Finnish student, developed a Unix-like operating system while he was doing his masters in the year 1991. Since then, it’s sparked a revolution: today it powers most of the web, many embedded devices and every one of the [top 500 supercomputers](https://itsfoss.com/linux-runs-top-supercomputers/).

I’ve already written about some less known [facts about Linux](https://itsfoss.com/facts-linux-kernel/). This article is not about Linux. It’s about its creator, Linus Torvalds.

I learned a number of things about Torvalds by reading his [biography](https://www.amazon.com/Just-Fun-Story-Accidental-Revolutionary/dp/0066620732).

## 20 Interesting facts about Linus Torvalds

You’ll probably already know some of these facts about Linus, but the chances are that you’ll learn some new facts about him by reading this.

### 1. Named after a Nobel prize winner

Linus Benedict Torvalds was born on December 28th 1969 in Helsinki. He comes from a family of journalists. His father [Nils Torvalds](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nils_Torvalds?ref=itsfoss.com) is a Finnish politician and a likely candidate for president in future elections.

He was named after [Linus Pauling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling?ref=itsfoss.com), a double Nobel prize winner in Chemistry and Peace.

### 2. All the Torvalds in the world are relatives

While you may find several people with the name Linus, you won’t find many people with the name Torvalds – because the ‘correct’ spelling is actually Torvald (without the s). His grandfather changed his name from Torvald to Torvalds, adding an ‘s’ at the end. And thus the Torvalds dynasty (if I can call it that) began.

Since it’s such an unusual surname, there are hardly 30 Torvalds in the world and they’re all relatives, claims Linus Torvalds in his biography.

![Linus Torvalds with sister Sara Torvalds](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/12/Linus_and_sara_Torvalds.jpg)

### 3. Commodore Vic 20 was his first computer

At the age of 10, Linus started writing programs in BASIC on his maternal grandfather’s Commodore Vic 20. This is when he discovered his love for computers and programming.

### 4. Second Lieutenant Linus Torvalds

Though he preferred to spend time on computers rather than in athletic activities, he had to attend compulsory military training. He held the rank of Second Lieutenant.

### 5. He created Linux because he didn’t have money for UNIX

In early 1991, unhappy with [MS-DOS](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MS-DOS?ref=itsfoss.com) and [MINIX](http://www.minix3.org/?ref=itsfoss.com), Torvalds wanted to buy a UNIX system. Luckily for us, he didn’t have enough money. So he decided to make his own clone of UNIX, from scratch.

### 6. Linux could have been called Freax

In September ’91, Linus announced Linux (standing for ‘Linus’s MINIX’) and encouraged his colleagues to use its source code for wider distribution.

Linus thought that the name Linux was too egotistical. He wanted to change it to Freax (based on free, freak and MINIX), but his friend Lemmarke had already created a directory called Linux on his FTP server. And thus the name Linux continued.

### 7. Linux was his main project at University

“Linux: A Portable Operating System” was the title of his thesis for his M.Sc.

### 8. He married his student

In 1993, when he was teaching at the University of Helsinki, he gave the task of composing email as homework to the students. Yeah, composing emails were a big deal back then.

A female student named Tove Monni completed the task by sending him an email asking him out on a date. He accepted and three years later the first of their three daughters was born.

Shall I say he started the internet dating trend? Hmm … nah! Let’s leave it there ;)

![Linus Torvalds with his wife Tove Monni Torvalds](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/12/Linus_torvalds-wife-800x533.jpg)

### 9. Linus has an asteroid named after him

He has numerous awards to his name, including an asteroid named [9793 Torvalds](http://enacademic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1928421?ref=itsfoss.com).

### 10. Linus had to battle for the trademark of Linux

Linux is a trademark registered with Linus Torvalds. Torvalds didn’t care about the trademark initially, but in August 1994, a William R. Della Croce, Jr. registered the Linux trademark and started demanding royalties from Linux developers. Torvalds sued him in return and in 1997, the case was settled.

### 11. Steve Jobs wanted him to work on Apple’s macOS

In 2000, Apple’s founder [Steve Jobs invited him to work on Apple’s macOS](https://www.macrumors.com/2012/03/22/steve-jobs-tried-to-hire-linux-creator-linus-torvalds-to-work-on-os-x/?ref=itsfoss.com). Linus refused the lucrative offer and continued to work on the Linux kernel.

### 12. Linus also created Git

Most people know Linus Torvalds for creating the Linux kernel. But he also created [Git](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Git?ref=itsfoss.com), a version control system that is extensively used in software development worldwide.

Till 2005, (then) proprietary service [BitKeeper](http://www.bitkeeper.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) was used for Linux kernel development. When Bitkeeper shut down its free service, Linus Torvalds created Git on his own because none of the other version control systems met his needs.

### 13. Linus hardly codes these days

Though Linus works full time on the Linux kernel, he hardly writes any code for it anymore. In fact, most of the code in the Linux kernel is by contributors from around the world. He ensures that things go fine at each release with the help of kernel maintainers.

### 14. Torvalds hates C++

Linus Torvalds has a strong [dislike for the C++ programming language](https://lwn.net/Articles/249460/?ref=itsfoss.com). He has been very vocal about it. He jokes that the Linux kernel compiles faster than a C++ program.

### 15. Even Linus Torvalds found Linux difficult to install (you can feel good about yourself now)

A few years ago, Linus told that [he found Debian difficult to install](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHGTs1NSB1s&ref=itsfoss.com). He is [known to be using Fedora](https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds/posts/Wh3qTjMMbLC?ref=itsfoss.com) on his main workstation.

### 16. He loves scuba diving

Linus Torvalds loves scuba diving. He even created [Subsurface](https://subsurface-divelog.org/?ref=itsfoss.com), a dive logging tool for scuba divers. You’ll be surprised that sometimes he even answers general questions on its forum.

![Linus Torvalds in Scuba Gear](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/12/Linus_Torvalds_in_SCUBA_gear.jpg)

### 17. The foul-mouthed Torvalds has improved his behavior

Torvalds is known for using [mild expletives](https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/08/26/linus_torvalds_calls_own_lawyers_nasty_festering_disease/?ref=itsfoss.com) on the Linux kernel mailing list. This has been criticized by some in the industry. However, it would be difficult to criticize his banter of “[F**k you, NVIDIA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_36yNWw_07g&ref=itsfoss.com)” as it prompted better support for the Linux kernel from NVIDIA.

In 2018, [Torvalds took a break from Linux kernel development to improve his behavior](https://itsfoss.com/torvalds-takes-a-break-from-linux/). This was done just before he signed the controversial [code of conduct for Linux kernel developers](https://itsfoss.com/linux-code-of-conduct/).

![Linus Torvalds Middle finger to Nvidia : Fuck You Nvidia](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2012/09/Linus-Torvalds-Fuck-You-Nvidia.jpg)

### 18. He is too shy to speak in public

Linus doesn’t feel comfortable with public speaking. He doesn’t attend many events. And when he does, he prefers to sit down and be interviewed by the host. This is his favorite way of doing a public talk.

### 19. Not a social media buff

[Google Plus](https://plus.google.com/+LinusTorvalds?ref=itsfoss.com) is the only social media platform he has used. He even spent some time [reviewing gadgets](https://plus.google.com/collection/4lfbIE?ref=itsfoss.com) there in his free time. Google Plus is now discontinued so he has no other social media accounts.

### 20. Torvalds is settled in the USA

Linus moved to the US in 1997 and settled there with his wife Tove and their three daughters. He became a US citizen in 2010. At present, he works full-time on the Linux kernel as part of the [Linux Foundation](https://www.linuxfoundation.org/?ref=itsfoss.com).

It’s difficult to say what the net worth of Linus Torvalds is or how much Linus Torvalds earns because this information has never been made public.

![Linus Torvalds with wife and daughters](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/wordpress/2017/12/patriciatorvalds.jpg)

[opensource.com](https://opensource.com/life/15/8/patricia-torvalds-interview?ref=itsfoss.com)

If you’re interested in learning more about the early life of Linus Torvalds, I recommend reading his biography entitled ”[Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary](https://www.amazon.com/Just-Fun-Story-Accidental-Revolutionary/dp/0066620732)”.

*Disclaimer: Some of the images here have been taken from the internet. I do not own the copyright to the images. I also do not intend to invade the privacy of the Torvalds family with this article. *