What was happening when Pilobolus was formed?

A lot was happening in 1971 when Pilobolus was formed at Dartmouth College.  What sort of things were happening, you ask?

In the science world, the microprocessor was created (that's the foundation of all computers!).  NASA sent the Mariner 9 became the first spacecraft to orbit Mars in November.  The Soviet Union sent two spacecrafts a month later.  Floppy disks were created.  CAT scanning was introduced.

In the media world, cigarette ads were officially banned on TV.  School House Rock aired.  PBS began Masterpiece Theater.  Fiddler on the Roof, Dirty Harry, and A Clockwork Orange were released in theaters.  The #1 song in America was "Joy to the World" by Three Dog Night.

In America, Charles Manson and his followers were convicted of the seven murders they committed.  The voting age was lowered to age eighteen.  The Attica State Prision in Buffalo, NY had a mass 4-day riot in which 28 inmates and 9 guards were killed.  The Native Americans were forced out of Alcatraz.  The US and South Vietnam invaded Laos.  Captain Samuel Lee Gravely, Jr. became the first African American Rear Admiral in the US Navy.  Greenpeace launched.  Southwest Airlines and Amtrak began.  The Magic Kingdom opened in Florida.

In the world, Bangladesh becomes a country.  The United Arab Emirates was formed.  Poland held strikes to overthrow the president.  The Vietnam War was still continuing.  Qatar gains its independence from the UK.

A lot of reform and change was occurring in 1971, and Pilobolus was helping to change the dance world.  Pilobolus followed trends in science and technology, all while being influenced by nature.  Pilobolus is also exploring non-traditional relationships in partnering.  Pilobolus began as a duo, featuring Jonathan Wolken and Moses Pendleton.  Robby Barnett and Michael Tracy joined in the following year.  Pilobolus essentially jump-started with four male members, so the partnering was between two males.  It wasn't until 1973 that the first two female members, Alison Becker Chase and Martha Clarke, joined.  There was no concern for gender roles and the group took pride in their collective identity and views.  By 1978, Pilobolus had appeared on Broadway, been featured in Time magazine, and appeared on the PBS series Dance in America.

This is a photo of the founding members of Pilobolus: Jonathan Wolken, Moses Pendleton, Robby Barnett, Michael Tracy, Alison Becker Chase, and Martha Clarke.