The direction of the cell division axis is important for embryonic development and stem cell maintenance. Orientation of cell division is achieved by controlling the position of the centrosome or the poles of the spindle formed from the centrosome. In this class, I will present a paper demonstrating a brilliant combination of control of division direction and stem cell maintenance through control of centrosome position. I would like to discuss what other role control of the spindle orientation may play in development and how this control is achieved in several animal models.