Metals like stainless steel and nickel were used as early as 1900 and became widespread a few decades later. Stainless steel made a significant splash in the 1940s, at the same time as laminate countertops made their debut. These materials are still popular today. Stainless steel has many advantages over other materials used for countertops. It's easy to clean, won't stain, doesn't require regular maintenance, and looks good with most any color scheme. The only downsides are that it can be expensive and isn't very durable. Over time, stainless steel can develop a silver or gray coloration caused by oxidation. That being said, it is possible to restore its original luster. Laminate countertops are very popular today, but they didn't exist in the 1940s. Plywood was commonly used instead. Laminate is much more durable than plywood and tends to fade less over time. It's also very resistant to stains. Concrete was recently revived as a material for countertops, but it wasn't widely used in the 1940s. Ceramic tile was popular instead. It's hard to break and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. It's also easy to clean. Wood was the most common material for countertops in the 1940s.