Humans first discovered the mealability of gold during the stone age. It was during these early years that people first pounded the metal into thin, decorative sheets. However, these sheets were never applied to other materials the way we perceive gold plating today.
In 1800, Alessandro Volta discovered the science of electrodeposition, otherwise known as electroplating. This discovery made possible the fusing of two different metals--a process crucial to metal plating.
Professor Luigi Brugnatelli was the first man to gold-plate pieces of silver. He wrote a friend about this success in 1803.
In 1840, George Richards Elkington gathered together the pieces of prior research, bringing the gold-plating method into the industrial world. On March 25 of that year, he filed a patent for gold plating.
Elkington reffered to himself as the "gilt toy maker." After being awarded his gold-plating patent, Elkington manufactured small gold-plated trinkets, such as snuff boxes, frames for eyeglasses and military badges.
In 1844, a large plant dedicated to gold plating opened in St. Petersburg, Germany. From this point on, Gold plated objects were available to the masses.