Museum Closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Dr. Joseph Mountin’s Microscope

E. Leitz-Wetzlar microscope, used by Dr. Mountin in medical school and in his early career as a physician. Gift of Daniel Joseph Mountin, Jr. and Ms. Joan Hopke, 2002

In 1946, Dr. Joseph W. Mountin envisioned the “Centers of Excellence” that turned a wartime malaria control effort into today’s CDC. According to his memoirist, Hugh Leavell, “Mountin was recognized for his vision and his passion for facts. Never satisfied with the status quo, he sought the reason for things, and he kept asking what the people wanted done about their health. . . Because Mountin’s views of health were so dynamic, he not infrequently trod on the toes of those content to look backward rather than forward” (Leavell, 1953, 19).

Dr. Mountin’s grandson, Daniel Joseph Mountin, Jr., contacted CDC in 2001 about donating the microscope to the CDC. In an e-mail he stated, “Since I know you have an exhibit honoring my grandfather’s legacy, I felt that the microscope belonged there, at the CDC Museum, rather than in a storage closet in my house.” Dr. Mountin’s children, Mr. Daniel Joseph Mountin, Sr., of Carrollton, Texas and Ms. Joan Hopke, of Naples, Florida, visited the CDC Museum with their spouses in 2002, and presented the microscope to CDC. It is currently on display in the David J. Sencer CDC Museum.

Enrichment Modules

Take a closer look:

Disease-causing culprits are typically too small to be seen by the naked eye. That’s why microscopy is an important part of CDC’s work! Take a look at images of pathogens that CDC laboratories have identified during disease investigations.
Want to see the man behind the microscope? View photographs of Mountin, the founder of CDC.
If you’re feeling inspired, check out selected papers of Dr. Mountin’s and an article reflecting on his work four decades after his death.
Take a closer look at Dr. Mountin’s microscope from the front, side, and above.
CDC Museum is named after David J. Sencer, MD, MPH. See David J. Sencer receiving the first annual commemorative Dr. Joseph W. Mountin award.

From the source:

CDC microscopists like Cynthia Goldsmith play key roles in capturing visuals of deadly viruses and bacteria. Learn Cynthia’s story!
Zoom in on the parasite that causes malaria in this 1946 footage.
View this 1950 film describing the original activities of the CDC and its services to local and state health departments, then view a 1986 video celebrating 40 years of prevention.

Then and now:

Art is a powerful tool to explore and deepen our understanding of microbes, cells, DNA, and everything in between. CDC Museum’s exhibit, The World Unseen, showcases the ponderings of artists and scientists alike! Can you think of examples of art that represents or reflects science? What about science that reflects art?

Give it a try:

Learn more about microscopes through the CDC Train website! From basic microscopy to routine procedures, there are many options.
If you’d like to learn more about identifying microorganisms under a microscope, check out these microbiology training courses.