In A.C. 79, records are available of zinc used in the construction and this can be regarded as the beginning of the galvanization.

First record in the galvanizing process is found in 1742: the French chemist, P.J. Malouin, have been described in the presentation of French Academy of Sciences. Method of coating of iron with the melted zinc is described here.

The present name of this coating was established by the name of Luigi Galvani (1737-1798). He discovered electrochemical process between metals during an experiment in 1772. Then in 1801 Alessandro Volta (1745-1827) improved galvanization process, and discovered electric potential. Volta also discovered; in-between different metals zinc and silver are the most efficient power producers.
Galvani and Volta’s invention of electrical contact and harmony with different metals, the Parisian civil engineer Stanislaus Tranquille Modeste Sorel was received a patent for a method of protection iron from rust in May 10,1837.

In 1850, the only Industry, British Galvanizing Industry, produced zinc 10,000 tons annually for the production of galvanized steel.

In the United States; first galvanizing plant was opened in 1870. At that time, steel was sunk to zinc bath manually.

First thing comes to mind as a corrosion protection is Hot Dip Galvanizing, used nearly two centuries.