WHY did Stephen Hillenburg decide to create a talking Sponge named Bob?

A Hillenburg had always wanted to create a character that lived in a pineapple; SpongeBob SquarePants spent most of his life in a pineapple under the sea.

B Hillenburg wanted to make a character that looked like a kitchen sink sponge; He was just Bob the Sponge then. He was a sea sponge with cool black shades and a bright smile.

C Hillenburg thought making the comic would get him a job as a marine biologist; He made the comic while he was working as a teacher and artist at the Orange County Marine Institute.

D Hillenburg wanted to make learning about intertidal pools fun and interesting; His goal was to teach kids about intertidal pools in an entertaining way.