As first used on the English stage in the latter part of the 17th century, footlights consisted of open-flame oil lamps with floating wicks.

Where did the term footlights originate from?

footlights (n.)

"row of lights placed in front of a stage" (formerly called floats), 1836, from foot (n.) of the stage + light (n.).

When was the spotlight invented?

The first theatrical spotlight was the limelight (q.v.), which gave way to such light sources as the arc, electric discharge, and incandescent lamp. The practical lensed spotlight was developed in 1879 by Louis Hartmann of the United States.