There's no denying the incredible cultural impact that SpongeBob SquarePants has had upon the world today. As the longest-running Nickelodeon series of all time, with over 215 episodes hitting the air to date (and as the show that ran the most amount of episodes in a single year, with 45 episodes), the series has picked up a loyal following and cemented a place for itself in the history of animated children's cartoons. Bringing a whole roster of memorable and infectious characters to the small screen, the show has not only made a hero out of its titular lead, but all of those who surround him. It'd be fair to say that those in the Western world who have never seen a single SpongeBob scene must have lived a very sheltered life!

Of course, as is the case with most things, even the most loyal of SpongeBob fans may not know absolutely everything there is to know about the cartoon. That's where we come in! Here, we delve into the deepest depths of the show's history, taking a look back not only at the roster of characters on screen, but those involved behind-the-scenes and everything that comes with it.

Whether you're discovering the roots of the series, are exactly where it's been brought to in the present day or just want to know how the show is catered to adults just as much as the younger viewing audience, there's always something new to discover when it comes to SpongeBob. Here are 15 of those things which we wager you had no idea about...

15 The Great (Age) Divide

via: spongebob.wikia.com

Many people are shocked the first time they discover exactly how old SpongeBob really is. In one episode, viewers got a glimpse of his driver's licence, which says his birthdate is July 14, 1986. That means that if the show is taking place in the modern day, SpongeBob is currently a whopping 31-years-old! That certainly explains some of his actions and humor that runs throughout the series!

Funnier still is when you find out how old Eugene Krabs, aka Mr. Krabs is. Born on November 30, 1942, it turns out the character is now actually 75!

It's worth noting that creator Stephen Hillenburg has joked in a previous interview that SpongeBob is 50 in "sponge years", so there's no telling just how old Mr. Krabs is in "crab years"!

14 A Fast Food Restaurant, Or A Trap?

via: wikihow.com

The Krusty Krab (formerly known as the Crusty Crab) may be renowned for their Krabby Patty offerings, but is there a sinister secret hiding behind the fast food restaurant? What many viewers have failed to notice throughout the years is that if you take a look at the Krusty Krab restaurant from its exterior, and see the entire building in one frame, it actually resembles a lobster trap!

With all of the wisdom surrounding the show, it's obvious that this was a move made purposely rather than one that just so happens to be a coincidence, and brings a rather dark layer of humor to the series! Are lobsters being kidnapped by the Krusty Krab? Are they the secret ingredient in the Krabby Patty offerings? Who knows?! And that's not where the more adult themes stop in the series...

13 For The Adults

There are a huge number of inappropriate jokes and sequences that have taken place throughout all of the seasons of SpongeBob to-date, ranging from the adult-shaped balloon that SpongeBob struggled to blow up during one episode, to Pirate SpongeBob warning Gary the Snail not to drop the "dubloons" (soap) that he found in a suitcase, with a cheeky wink to his sidekick.

Other scenes have found Patrick and SpongeBob unclothed in the showers together, with Patrick giving his friend a dollar bill, while in another we see SpongeBob wearing a pair of underpants upside down on his head, with his nose protruding rather suggestively from the crotch area! That's just scratching the surface of the naughtiness on offer in SpongeBob. Let's not get started on when Patrick's "genius" was showing...

12 Caps Don't Work Underwater

via: cartoonician.com

Some of the earliest concept art for SpongeBob SquarePants is actually incredibly similar to the character we see leading the series today, with one notable difference. Back when the first SpongeBob was drawn up, he was wearing a cap which would turn out in colored versions of the art to be green. That's obviously something that's been changed behind-the-scenes before the series ever made it to air, but exactly why the decision made has never been explored!

Some eagle-eyed fans have even noticed in past concept art that SpongeBob hasn't always had the same name! In his earliest versions, the character was actually called Sponge Boy. Realizing he would be an older character however, creators must have changed this to become more age-appropriate. Let's just be thankful the show's not called Sponge Man!

11 Keeping It In The Family

via: spongebob.wikia.com

Patrick the Starfish and Gary the Snail may not look all that similar, but life under the sea is something that can bring about all sorts of surprises. One of the biggest that's been unearthed over the years is the family connection between both Patrick and Gary, with the majority of fans simply thinking the two were just friends. In fact, the two characters are actually cousins.

While they get on most of the time, Patrick has proven to be quite the pain in Gary's shell at some points in the series, with the former trying to force the latter to take a bath so that he can dry him with a blow torch. A shocking scene that could have ended in a dish being served up for the French, but one that fortunately didn't kill off the fan-favourite character.

10 What's In A Name?

via spongebob.wikia.com

Squidward is perhaps the grumpiest of all the characters in SpongeBob SquarePants, but did you ever stop for a second and think that this may be because of his name? Yes, Squidward may look like a Squid, but he is in fact an OCTOPUS! Shook? We were, too, but the news is something that's been out there since 2005! That's when creator Stephen Hillenburg revealed the earth-shattering news, but fans still haven't been convinced because Squidward has only six tentacles instead of eight!

For the misbelievers however, Hillenburg had another answer. He said that six tentacles were used so that the job of animators on the show was an easier one. Still, we all feel a little deceived, yet a little bit closer to the grouchy sea creature. The poor thing's lived a lie!

9 SpongeBob Is A Fun Guy

via spongebob.wikia.com

We mentioned SpongeBob's influence in the real world earlier on, but this is one that really takes his impact to the next level! There is now a fungi that exists, discovered during the show's airing on Nickelodeon and named after the titular character.

New to science from 2011, Spongiforma Squarepantsii is a species of fungus that belongs to the Boletaceae family, producing sponge-like fruit bodies that have either a fruity or musky smell. Like a sponge, it will return to its original shape if anybody squeezes the water out of it, and it's able to reach dimensions of 10cm wide by 7cm tall! All you'd need to add is some googly stick-on eyes and you'd be set, your very own SpongeBob for your home!

8 Real-Life Romance

via: zimbio.com

Tom Kenny, who voices SpongeBob, actually has an interesting romantic life in the real world, with the actor married to Jill Talley, otherwise known as the woman responsible for voicing Plankton's computer wife, Karen! A great bit of trivia for anyone who loves the show, it adds yet another layer to the reasoning behind why SpongeBob and Plankton just don't get along if you're willing to allow the fourth wall to be broken!

Kenny and Talley actually got married all the way back in 1995, having both worked the sketch and improv comedy circuits throughout US cities and making a name for themselves. The pair have an incredibly successful marriage and working relationship, and even have two children; Mark (born in 1997) and Nora (born in 2003).

7 Patrick's Not-So-Secret Sibling

via: YouTube.com (EdEddnEddyRocks)

We've already taken a glance at Patrick's family tree following the discovery that Gary was his cousin, but what many people have also overlooked is the fact that Patrick has a sister called Sam! She may not be one of the most popular characters who has appeared in the series a whole bunch of times, but for many she's somebody who has been blanked out of memories ever since making her debut!

That may have something to do with Sam's look. While we're not the judge and jury on how attractive a starfish can be, she certainly doesn't seem to be ticking any boxes for those around her, with her stomach crudely protruding out of her outfit, her hair a mess and hairs poking out of her chin and shoulder. Not somebody we'd want to bump into in a dark alley!

6 The Seven Deadly Sins

via: patheos.com

When it comes to popular franchises, you can bet there are dozens of interesting and downright kooky theories floating around as to what subliminal messages the creators of said franchises are ACTUALLY trying to get across. SpongeBob SquarePants also falls victim to the craze of looking for messages that probably aren't actually there, but there is one particular theory that might hold some ground.

Some time back, a rumor started doing the rounds on the internet that each of the main characters in the series were representative of one of the seven deadly sins. SpongeBob represented lust, while Patrick was sloth, Squidward was wrath, Mr. Krabs was greed, Sandy was pride, Plankton was envy and Gary was gluttony. Whether or not it's true, it certainly holds more ground than some of the other theories we've read through!

5 Avril Lavigne > Justin Timberlake

via: fanpop.com

Avril Lavigne is obviously a big fan of SpongeBob SquarePants, having covered the show's theme song for the 2004 movie and making a major impact in a version of the tune that's still listened to religiously by fans to this day. One other major star from the world of music was however turned down by the show's creator, Stephen Hillenburg.

Crushing the hearts of all those who enjoy SpongeBob but who also enjoy jamming to Justin Timberlake and Flaming Lips, the creator said no to bringing both on board for a collaboration on the show's theme song for the big screen release. Flaming Lips' frontman Wayne Coyne has been very open as to why he was denied the opportunity to take part, telling MTV News back in 2004 that Hillenburg didn't want "commercial weirdos" as part of the series. Biting words!

4 One Voice To Rule Them All

via: biography.com

Fans may know Tom Kenny as the man to lend his vocal talents to SpongeBob SquarePants, but what many don't realize is that he has also taken on plenty of other roles all within the same series! Gary the Snail (when he does speak!) comes from Kenny's lips, while the voice actor also takes on the show's French narrator, SpongeBob's father Harold SquarePants and Patchy the Pirate in live-action! We wouldn't be surprised to hear his familiar tones appearing on all sorts of shows in the near future thanks to SpongeBob's success.

His job on the show is one that's earned him an Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Television Production, and of course has seen his star rise higher than ever before on the voice acting circuits.

3 Stick To Your Day Job

via: wikimedia.org (Carlos Cazurro)

Stephen Hillenburg is the man to thank for bringing SpongeBob to the masses, creating the show back in 1999. It also turns out that the American cartoonist is a former marine biologist, making his choice of subject matter a little more understandable! Said to have been fascinated by the ocean from a young age, Hillenburg's passion for the depths of the sea combined with his love for art meant that he would create a comic book about tide-pool animals during his professional career at the Orange County Marine Institute, leading him to pursue a career in animation.

Hillenburg worked on a couple of short films as well as the Nickelodeon animated series Rocko's Modern Life before striking gold with SpongeBob, but has never rested when it comes to raising awareness around marine life. It's clear that he's an extremely passionate force when it comes to his work, and we imagine that's a massive part of why SpongeBob has been such a success.

2 Famous Faces

via: screenrant.com

SpongeBob is a show with friends in high places, with a plethora of celebrities signing up to lend their voices to the series in a number of exciting guest roles. Whether Amy Poehler is taking on the role of Grandma, Mark Hamill is bringing The Moth to life or Will Ferrell, Robin Williams, and LeBron James are playing themselves in the show, it's clear that SpongeBob's impact is one that reaches far and wide.

Oftentimes, viewers can find themselves recognizing a familiar voice on the show, yet being unable to place exactly who's in the booth recording for the series. Understandable, as there have been so many different big names attached to SpongeBob throughout the years. Who's next? We can't wait to find out!

1 Presidential Approval

via: nypost.com

Over a decade ago, SpongeBob SquarePants got some major approval from the highest office in all the land, as then-President Barack Obama told TV Guide that SpongeBob was his favorite television character of all time. The former President noted that it was the show that he watched with his daughters in his downtime, and at the time, it must have come as a great surprise to those working on the series that the Most Powerful Man In The World would wind down and utilize his quality time with his family to watch the hilarious little sponge on the small screen.

Now however, with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office, will the cartoon be getting the same kind of approval? Something tells us that would be quite the reach...