It’s hard to put an exact time and date on the origins of Bean, but early versions of him can be seen on documents dating back to the fall of 2004 A.D.  That winter, doodles, that would one day lead to the shape and personality of Bean, were all over my school notes. 

At the same time, I was working as an intern in the art department of the film “The Producers”

(the one with Will Ferrell, not Gene Wilder unfortunately but fortunately because that would make me super old).  I remember drawing a still rough Bean on the eraser board in the production office.  “What’s that?” the production coordinator asked.  “It’s just a bean,” I snapped back (she says I snapped it, but I believe I said it bashfully and humbly). 

From then on, Bean was a frequent character on the eraser board and a new friend to everyone.  He continued to appear on my notes until I graduated in the Spring of 2005.  No longer needing notebooks for my school notes, I left Bean without a home; but he stuck around and graduated to his own pieces of paper.

Being worried that Bean would one day ask me these tough questions about his past, I set out to gather all my early doodles, sketches, and most importantly, my school notes.  I compiled an enlightening and informative slideshow for Bean and I hope you enjoy it, too!