Calcium, titanium, and chromium

Calcium
The Presidents residence is commonly referred to as the White House. It became known as the White House because it was coated in a mixture of lime and glue. Lime is created by heating chalk, sea shells, or limestone; it is an oxide of calcium.
Lime is brushed on tombs to protect it from the elements. It is used in burials because it draws out moisture from the corpse and reduces the risk of disease. This may be why whiteness is associated with death,  because when nothing is left of you your bones will still be white.
Titanium
Titanium metal was discovered in 1910, but not used commercialy for another ten years. It is hard to believe because it is such a versatile metal, it is strong, light and resistant to corrosion. It is used in many things because of these properties like, bikes, planes, hip joints and planes.
Titanium has interesting qualities. It cannot be soldered, instead it must be welded using a laser. The melting point for it is 1,660 degrees Celsius, which is why the laser is used.
Chromium
This element is better referred to as crime and most infamous in the car industry. Its popularity peaked in the 1920's in American cars. America was the first to make cars less modest and more flashy with a jet like look.
This theme persists through to today where it is still readily found on cars, but is has become more of a "manly" appeal. This is ironic because the second biggest counsomer of chrome was the appliance industry. It was appealing to many women because it didn't need to be shined daily.
Chrome just shines with the roaring '20's, radiating excitement, speed and glamor.