Linear hashing is a dynamic hash table algorithm invented by Witold Litwin (1980), and later popularized by Paul Larson. Linear hashing allows for the expansion of the hash table one slot at a time. The frequent single slot expansion can very effectively control the length of the collision chain. The cost of hash table expansion is spread out across each hash table insertion operation, as opposed to being incurred all at once. Linear hashing is therefore well suited for interactive applications.