Bob the Sponge

Bob
Physical appearance
Gender:	Male
Color:	Yellow
Classification:	Sponge
Chronology
Appearance:	The Intertidal Zone comic

Bob the Sponge is a character who was created in 1984 by Stephen Hillenburg for The Intertidal Zone. The Intertidal Zone was an educational book about undersea life, and Bob is a sea sponge, Hillenburg's favorite animal.

Unlike SpongeBob's current design, which is a squared-off tube sponge, Bob the Sponge was modeled after a circle-shaped species. Although Bob is not seen in the series, the designs of SpongeBob's parents are based on him.

Creation and development

Stephen Hillenburg first made Bob the Sponge in 1984, for The Intertidal Zone. Bob co-starred with Rocky the Shrimp. Bob the Sponge's appearance resembled a real sea sponge, except he wore sunglasses and had a mouth to speak with.

Bob the Sponge evolved into SpongeBoy in 1994, whom later evolved into SpongeBob SquarePants in 1997.

Trivia

• The name of the French dub of SpongeBob SquarePants, Bob l'éponge, can be translated to "Bob the Sponge."

Gallery

Early concepts of how Bob the sponge would look, at this time they were planning on the show.

Bob the sponge as seen in the comic he appeared in.