In the central nervous system (CNS), oligodendrocytes (OLs) are the glial-subtype responsible for myelin production. The OL’s diminutive size belies the scale of myelin membrane produced – membrane capable of ensheathing dozens of axons in multiple layers, all the while contracting and expelling cytoplasm to generate mature myelin. Today, we take this knowledge for granted. It is easy to forget that until the mid-1950s, many researchers believed the myelin sheath to be an axonal creation, and not the natural product of glia (Geren and Raskind, 1953; Geren, 1954). This notion that glia played second fiddle unfortunately persisted. Often viewed as little more than “glue” holding the nervous system together, OLs have had difficulty in ridding themselves of this namesake and driving interest in the scientific community. Researchers have only recently begun to truly dissect and understand this unique cell type. Advances in imaging technology and model systems have allowed scientists unprecedented access to the inner workings of the OL.