September 30: The Origins of SpongeBob

My kids are huge fans of the show "SpongeBob SquarePants", and I would be lying if I didn't admit I'm a fan, as well. Today, I heard a story about the show's creator and Executive Producer, Steve Hillenburg, and that he used to be a fry cook at a fast-food seafood restaurant just like SpongeBob himself! After looking into the guy a bit more, I also learned that he graduated from Humboldt State University in Arcata, Calif. in 1984 with a degree in natural-resource planning and interpretation, with an emphasis in marine resources. He then taught marine biology at the Orange County Marine Institute in Dana Point, California for 3 years, before pursuing a lifelong interest in drawing and painting. It seems at that point in his life, he decided to switch careers, and he went to study experimental animation at the California Institute of the Arts. So, SpongeBob SquarePants is essentially a product of all of his life interests and experiences. I thought that was pretty cool!