[laxd]

I think you mean Ken Thompson. I can't be bothered searching through youtube interviews but I'm pretty shure that on more than one occasion, he tells a story something along the lines of having a disk driver, some programs, and maybe some other components. His wife went on a trip and he figured it would be enough time to fill in the gaps and make a complete OS.

[jasone]

I'm pretty sure that is mentioned in this interview:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqI7MrtxPnk

By the way the CHM oral history video series is full of gems.

[mtillman]

Yes. But it is written in no edit stone now. I’m sorry for the future google searches in which this received top billing instead of Ken Thompson’s name.