Before living in a pineapple under the sea, SpongeBob was born as an educational tool

SpongeBob SquarePants made its TV debut 25 years ago on May 1, 1999 before the official series launch in July 1999.'/>

Nickelodeon's megahit show SpongeBob SquarePants made its TV debut on May 1, 1999. Fans of the cartoon span generations and the animated series has become a multibillion-dollar franchise.