Although it started its life as a surveying tool, it was its use in theater that made limelight famous. At that time, theaters were commonly lit by dangerous gas lights. These were jets of burning gas, like the flame on a gas stove. Gas lights were dim, so it often took hundreds of them to light a scene on the stage, causing a great fire risk. Limelight is much brighter than gas light, and its pure whiteness made it ideal for simulating sunlight and moonlight. Its widespread use in nineteenth century theater is where the associations with fame came from. To be in the limelight was to be front and center, on the brightest part of the stage.