Linus Torvalds transformed technology twice -- first with the Linux kernel, which helps power the Internet, and again with Git, the source code management system used by developers worldwide. In a rare interview with TED Curator Chris Anderson, Torvalds discusses with remarkable openness the personality traits that prompted his unique philosophy of work, engineering and life. "I am not a visionary, I'm an engineer," Torvalds says. "I'm perfectly happy with all the people who are walking around and just staring at the clouds ... but I'm looking at the ground, and I want to fix the pothole that's right in front of me before I fall in."

Linus Torvalds: The mind behind Linux

The mind behind Linux

In the realm of engineering, stubbornness and a focus on fixing immediate problems, rather than visionary thinking, drive innovation.

Personal project origins of Linux illustrate the power of curiosity driven by pure passion for programming and innovation.

Linux's growth from a solitary endeavor to a global collaborative project showcases the dynamic evolution of open-source software.