Who built the Ethereum virtual machine?

Could you please enlighten me on the origins of the Ethereum virtual machine? I'm quite fascinated by the technology behind it and am eager to know who was the mastermind or team behind its creation. Could you provide me with a brief overview of their background and the motivation that led to the development of this remarkable virtual machine? Additionally, is there any significant milestone or accomplishment related to its development that you would like to highlight? I'm looking forward to your insights.