The character's name is derived from 'Bob the Sponge', the host of Hillenburg's comic strip The Intertidal Zone that he originally drew in the 1980s while teaching marine biology to visitors of the Ocean Institute. As he drew the character, he decided that a 'squeaky-clean square' like a kitchen sponge fit the concept. Hillenburg compared the character's personality to Laurel and Hardy and Pee-wee Herman. Hillenburg intended to create a series about an over-optimistic sea sponge living in an underwater town. SpongeBob was created and designed by cartoonist and educator Stephen Hillenburg, who began developing the show shortly after the cancellation of Rocko's Modern Life in 1996. He is voiced by actor and comedian Tom Kenny and first appeared on television in the series' pilot episode 'Help Wanted' on May 1, 1999. SpongeBob SquarePants is the title character and protagonist of the American animated television series of the same name.
