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In the limelight


Thomas Drummond invented the application of this bright light in the 1820's after someone else, Goldsworthy Gurney, discovered that heating a piece of lime in burning oxygen and hydrogen created a bright white light. Using this light on the theater stage meant the actors were in the limelight and therefore easily seen. (source)

Today the phrase means pretty much the same thing. When someone is in the limelight it means they are being featured or are at the center of attention. 


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