In the Limelight - Theatre Etymology - Part 2

To be in the limelight means to be in public attention. It was first used this way in a 1902 New York Times article that stated, "William S. Devery was in the limelight last evening. Tens of thousands of people of the district crowded the streets in the neighborhood and shouted the name of the ex-Chief of Police of New York." The origin of the phrase "in the limelight" comes from the theatre, but there is more history to how that originated.

It is not certain the lecturer in chemistry and philosophy at Surrey University, Goldsworthy Gurney, made the discovery by himself or if he built on the work of other scientists as differing accounts are given. However, it is known that sometime in the 1820s he created an oxy-hydrogen blowpipe. This was a pipe that introduced oxygen and hydrogen to a flame to make it very hot. He experimented with adding things in his blowpipe and found that when he inserted a bit of limestone, a bright and blinding white light that could be seen for miles was produced.

Thomas Drummond, a Scottish military engineer, saw a presentation about the blowpipe and limestone that Michael Farraday gave. Drummond was impressed and started using the "limelight" to help with surveying. He reported that he could see more than 60 feet, which helped in the dreary Scottish weather. Many people wanted access to bright white light, especially in the theatre so people could be seen on the stage even when it was dark.

In 1837, the first use of limelight at a theatre was seen in London's Covent Garden theatre. The limelights were placed downstaqge in order to light the rest of the stage. Actors and actresses were literally "in the limelight" during performances. The use of limelight became popular during the second half of the 19th century. Actors and actress could be seen on the stage and limelights could even be used to create the effects of moonlight and sunlight. However, it was not easy to use limelight because each light had to be monitored by a person and adjusted for each effect. The limelights were also extremely dangerous as they were fire hazards.

In 1879, Thomas Edison improved the design of the electric light bulb, finding the correct material for the filament. Because of this, the use of limelight faded and electric lights started being used. However, the phrase, "in the limelight" stayed.