In the early 1950s, Rauschenberg worked experimentally through periods where he used all white, all black, or all red in his paintings. He developed a collage and montage technique called "combine painting" using real objects such as photographs and found objects which he affixed to the painting surface. Objects he used included cola bottles, clocks, radios, clothing fragments and electrical fans. Rauschenberg's innovative techniques included being the first artist to incorporate silkscreen printing on canvas.

Rauschenberg s interest in combining art with technology led to the founding of an organization appropriately named Experiments in Art and Technology (E.A.T). E.A.T. was established to bring artists and engineers together.

In his move away from Abstract Expressionism, Rauschenberg became involved in such artistic endeavors as theater production, choreography and Pop Art, all methods by which he has tried to stretch the constraints of ordinary painting and the expression of ideas.