Chromium plate is one of the most important decorative finishes in use today. Most commonly plated over an electrodeposit of copper and/or nickel, chromium is used to produce a bright, protective, ornamental finish on a variety of metals and plastics. These same attributes - with the possible exeption of color - make chromium invaluable for industrial/engineering applications, as well. If chromium plating were eliminated for such use, innumerable manufacturing operations would probably skyrocket in cost or be eliminated altogether. The article discusses how it originated and how it is being applied as an engineering coating today.