In The Limelight: The origin of the term.

You have probably heard it said that someone you know enjoys being in the limelight, which indicates they bask in being the center of attention. There is a song by the group Rush titled Lime light which begins with:

“Living on a lighted stage approaches the unreal

For those who think and feel

In touch with some reality beyond the gilded cage

Cast in this unlikely role, ill-equipped to act

With insufficient tact

One must put up barriers to keep oneself intact

Living in the limelight, the universal dream

For those who wish to see

Those who wish to be

Must put aside the alienation

Get on with the fascination

The real relation, the underlying theme”

You may have assumed limelight was a synonym for spotlight, as some people do use the terms interchangeably. These two words do mean the same thing to most of the population; however, they have completely different origins.

A spotlight is a bright light or lamp that is used to center on or focus on an object or person. It illuminates the intended target so that all eyes will be on whatever or whoever is the center of attention.

A limelight is a type of stage lighting that was once used in theaters and music halls. It produced a bright light because incandescent quicklime was used. If you thought limelight meant a spotlight with a lime green tint, don’t feel bad, so did I for quite some time.

Limelight is also known as Drummond light or calcium light. It creates an intense illumination when an oxyhydrogen flame is directed at a cylinder of quicklime.

The light is created by a combination of incandescence and candoluminescence. LimeliLight was replaced with the invention of electrical lighting.

The word limelight continues today to describe someone who is in the public eye. The actual lights are called "limes", but this term has now been transferred to electrical equivalents.

When calcium hydroxide (slaked lime) is heated in a stove burner, it gives off a glow, although not nearly as bright as a real limelight. The limelight effect was discovered by Goldsworthy Gurney in the 1820s and was based on his work with the "oxy-hydrogen blowtorch. It was in 1825 that Scotsman Thomas Drummond saw a demonstration of the effect of limelight by Michael Faraday.

He realized that the light would be useful for surveying. and in 1826 Drummond built a working version of limelight. This why the device is sometimes referred to as the Drummond light. Spotlights came about 53 years later in 1879. Louis Hartmann from the United States was the inventor of the light that shines on a specified spot.

When I think of spotlights, I recall the 1978 hit single Flashlight by the funk group Parliament/Funkadelic. The song tells the continuing saga of Sir Nose. D’void of funk who does not want the funk and refuses to dance.

Limelights were used in theaters only in the early 1800s. Spotlights came along a little over half a century later and at this point in time can be used anywhere.

The police utilize spotlights to highlight a criminal they are trying to apprehend. Spotlights are used in maximum security prisons to prevent escapes. If you happen to slip up and say limelight don’t be too concerned because this term will probably be around for quite a while.