In a post to the comp.os.minix newsgroup, Linus Torvalds, a Finnish computer science student, announced the first version of a free operating system kernel that he had been developing. Inspired by the Minix operating system, Torvalds sought to create a more flexible and usable alternative that he mentioned was primarily for personal use. His announcement, humble in tone, stated that he had been working on this project as a hobby and was looking for contributions from other programmers. His request for feedback and collaboration proved to be a pivotal moment in the software community. The initial version, Linux 0.01, consisted of around 10,000 lines of code, reflecting his initial goals of creating a Unix-like system that was accessible and modifiable. The kernel provided multi-tasking capabilities and supported various hardware drivers, attracting the interest of developers eager to collaborate on an open-source project.

Torvalds's communication style was straightforward and engaging, fostering an environment where developers felt invited to participate in the growth of the kernel. As more users began to download and experiment with Linux, the open-source nature of the project encouraged rapid development and innovation, ultimately leading to a robust and vibrant community. This communal effort laid the groundwork for various Linux distributions that we see today, which support a myriad of applications and configurations. The influence of Linux extends beyond the realm of hobbyist programming; it has served as a foundational technology for the Internet and servers, powering much of the modern web. Today's Linux is the result of collaborative efforts from thousands of developers worldwide, all sparked by that one initial announcement.