Module 1 · Introduction to Python · Lesson 1 of 6
Who created Python?
Python was created by a Dutch programmer named Guido van Rossum. He started it over the Christmas holidays in 1989 as a side project — something cleaner and more readable than the languages he was using at work — and released it to the world in 1991.
- 1989
Guido van Rossum starts Python as a holiday project.
- 1991
The first version is released to the world (0.9.0).
- 1994
Python 1.0 arrives.
- 2000
Python 2.0 — a big step for the language.
- 2008
Python 3.0, the version everyone uses today.
- Today
One of the most popular languages on Earth.
🎬 The name comes from Monty Python's Flying Circus — the comedy show, not the snake.
For decades Guido guided the language as its BDFL — “Benevolent Dictator For Life,” the person with the final say on how Python should grow. He stepped back from that role in 2018, and today Python is steered by a community steering council.
And the name? It has nothing to do with snakes. Guido was reading scripts from Monty Python's Flying Circus and wanted something short, a little mysterious, and fun. The playful spirit stuck — you'll still see spam and eggs in Python examples to this day.