1. Technical developments

Alloy deposition techniques go back a long way. As early as prehistoric times (400-800 BC), gold and silver alloys were deposited in Peru by chemical displacement. However, it wasn't until the end of the 18th century, with Galvani's discovery of electrical processes and the work of Volta, that there was any significant development in the study of electroplating phenomena. It was not until the end of the 19th century that the first alloy deposits were really developed, using batteries as current sources. The widespread use of dynamos as current generators had a considerable commercial impact. It was only in the twentieth century that a modern approach to processes emerged.

The first electroplated alloys were brasses used for decorative purposes on zinc, iron or cast iron, notably for statuary. Deposition conditions remained rather empirical, although it was known...