Timeline

1912

Born on September 5 in Los Angeles, CA

1937

Moved to Seattle to work as a dance accompanist

1938

Founded a percussion orchestra in Seattle

1941 - 1942

Taught at the Chicago School of Design

1945

Developed an interest in Eastern philosophy that greatly influenced his work

1949

Awarded by the National Academy of Arts and Letters for the invention of the prepared piano

1954

Moved to Stony Point, New York where he developed an interest in mushrooms

1962

Taught about mushrooms at the New York School for Social Research. This same year he founded the New York Mycological Society

1978

Elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences

1981

Received the New York Mayor’s Honor Award of Arts and Sciences

1982

Awarded Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government

1989

Traveled to Japan to be awarded the Kyoto Prize

1992

Died on August 12