It is based on the doughnut frequently featured in the American animated sitcom The Simpsons, which is set in a city also named Springfield.

[2] The original sculpture, constructed from polystyrene encased in fibreglass, was first presented to the town of Springfield in July 2007 by 20th Century Fox in efforts to promote the 2007 film The Simpsons Movie.

[1] As this occurred on the same day as the consent hearings discussing whether the sculpture should remain permanently, there was suspicion that the perpetrator was an opponent of the doughnut who saw it as a degradation of the landscape or believed that the town should "not associate with American cartoons about dysfunctional families".

[2] Afterwards, Springfield locals painted a tractor tyre pink and tan and adorned it with sprinkles to take the place of the destroyed sculpture.

[1][5] Between 2020 and 2023, after the paintwork began flaking and falling off, the sculpture was repainted four times, costing $17,864.