Porifera Robert...

With news of 'SpongeBob SquarePants' creator passing away last week (26/11/18), It's always interesting to research where these extremely successful cartoonists get their ideas from.

Although a kids show, SpongeBob appears prominent on many social media platforms aimed towards adults and teens in the form of memes... I'd interpret this as childhood nostalgia at it's finest, and a real display of the longevity of the show.

However, not many people know that Hillenburg taught marine biology at the ocean institute in California, and began his marine-art journey by writing a comic called 'The intertidal zone'.

Figure 1 - 'The intertidal zone' by Hillenburg. Opening frame

This was nothing more than a mere cartoon sketch in a pamphlet, with an aim to educate younger children on ocean life.

Stephen later decided to study experimental animation which got him recognised by Nickelodeon.

From then on, Hillenburg's objectives on why he created SpongeBob have always come from a marine conservation standpoint, even though this may not seem obvious at first glance.

“People have to come together and realize how important our oceans are. One thing I’m hoping will come out of the documentary is the realization that the show came from something that’s precious, and that we need to appreciate it. … Hopefully, if you watch ‘SpongeBob,’ you see the plankton and the crabs and starfish, and you’ll want to take care of our oceans.”

-Stephen Hillenburg.

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