From a historical standpoint, nickel was the sanitary finish for kitchens and bathrooms well into the 1930s. But imagine this, if you will: You're in your kitchen, polishing your nickel faucet, because nickel will tarnish over time, especially when exposed to moisture. You glance up from your polishing and into driveway to stare at your shiny new car. Which is shiny even though it's outside in the elements. Because that gleam is chrome, and chrome doesn't tarnish.
