The term gilding is used to describe the process of covering an object with a thin top layer of gold or another precious metal onto an object that is not precious in of itself. This was the beginning that led to the period of rapid economic growth, but also much social conflict in the final three decades of 19th century. In essence an object looks to be very precious and expensive because it looks to be made of gold; however, looks are deceiving, the objects only covered by a very thin layer of gold on the surface. Mark Twain uses the term Gilded Age to describe the period between 1870 -1900. During this time the United States experienced an expanding population, dramatic technological advances, improved transportation, financial innovations
