Arc lighting is a term used to describe a system that generates light by producing a high-intensity electric arc between two electrodes. There are several synonyms for arc lighting such as arc lamps, carbon arc lamps, or simply arcs. These sources of lighting were prevalent in the early 20th century before being phased out by more energy-efficient light sources. Arc lamps were mainly used in street lighting, movie projectors, and searchlights. Carbon arc lamps were used for stage lighting and were sometimes known as limelight. Although arc lighting is rarely used today, its impact on history is significant, and it remains an important part of the development of electrical lighting.