History of Linux Timeline

How Linux born? Is it coming from Unix?  Here is a brief Linux history timeline.

Linux Mascot Tux? How it Born?

Let’s Start.

1968

E.W. Dijkstra develops MULTICS (Multiplexed Information and Computing Service), a time-sharing operating system in the Netherlands.

Multics Logo
Source: Wikipedia

1968

Bell Telephone (AT&T) lab researcher Ken Thompson developed a new system using MULTICS. His co-worker Brian Kernigham dubbed it UNICS(Uniplexed Information and Computing Service).

1968

UNICS later changed to UNIX.

Milestone

The UNIX operating system was born.

Unix Logo
Source: logodix.com

1969 – 1973

Bell Telephone researcher Dennis Ritchie develops the C language as a systems programming language for UNIX.

ken-thompson-and-dennis-ritchie
Ken Thompson(left) & Dennis Ritchie(right) source: wikipedia

1970s

UNIX versions 6 and 7 were developed, first in B and Assembly then C. At first UNIX built for academic purpose only. But later it was sold to vendors.

1970s

Richard Stallman announced about the development of GNU Project(GNU’s Not Unix!).

1987

Andrew S. Tanenbaum develops MINIX, a Unix like system based on a microkernel architecture. MINIX first developed for the educational purpose, later the development focuses on building a highly reliable microkernel OS.

1980s – 1990s

The “Unix Wars” occur. Vendors struggle to standardize UNIX.

1990

GNU’s own kernel, The Hurd, was developed.

1991

Linus Torvalds while studying at the University of Helsinki, started development of the Linux kernal based on MINIX, applications on MINIX also used in linux.

linus-torvals
Linus Torvals(left)
source: torvalds-family.blogspot.com

1991

Linux matured. Developers decided to continue development of Linux kernal on Linux systems. Also all MINIX applications get replaced by GNU components.

A fully functional and free operating system developed using GNU software and the Linux kernel.

Milestone

Linux was born.

Some people call it “GNU/Linux” or simply “Linux”. There is a controversy with the name.

1990s – Today

Various UNIX like operating systems or Linux distributions are released, such as; OSX, Debian and Ubuntu.

linux distros
source: buddhilive.com

Currently there are many linux distributions built by developers but, Ubuntu is one the most popular linux distributions for desktop users worldwide.