The Linux kernel is a free and open-source, monolithic, modular, multitasking, Unix-like operating system kernel. It was originally written in 1991 by Linus Torvalds for his i386-based PC, and it was soon adopted as the kernel for the GNU operating system, which was written to be a free (libre) replacement for Unix.
Linus Torvalds at the LinuxCon Europe 2014 in Düsseldorf
Sankey diagram of Linux Kernel Source Lines of Code
TiVo DVR, a consumer device running Linux
An example of Linux kernel panic
Linus Benedict Torvalds is a Finnish-American software engineer who is the creator and lead developer of the Linux kernel. He also created the distributed version control system Git.
Torvalds in 2018
Torvalds in 2002
Linus Torvalds receiving 2018 IEEE Masaru Ibuka Consumer Electronics Award from ICCE 2018 Conference Chair Saraju P. Mohanty and IEEE President James A. Jefferies at ICCE 2018 on 12 January 2018 in Las Vegas