WikiProject SpongeBob SquarePants was a project on Wikipedia that was a precursor to Encyclopedia SpongeBobia. SpongeBob SquarePants first aired on May 1, 1999. Gradually, as the show become more popular, fan sites popped up that provided discussion for fans. They also provided bits of information, such as episode guides, character biographies, among other pieces of information. In 2001, Wikipedia was launched on the Internet. The first articles pertaining to SpongeBob SquarePants were created in 2002.