Neck Lanyards:
What They Are, and Why You Should Care

Now that you've learned more than you ever wanted to know about the origin of the term "lanyard" and its many meanings, let's return to the meaning that really matters to us: the lanyard as a cord you wears around our neck or wrist to secure a tool. We're more interested in the neck variety, for obvious reasons. In recent years, neck lanyards have become a thriving industry, mainly because of the growing interest in security: not just at work, but also in schools, libraries, government institutions, and similar facilities around the globe. These "elegant nooses" have acquired new life as carriers of the plastic identification cards and badges we've all become so familiar with. They vary from plain cords to elaborately printed, woven cables complete with wood and metal hardware and sliding toggles for tightening purposes.

Why should you care? Because unless you've been living under a rock, you've seen them and used them on a regular basis, and probably have one or two yourself. You may even, in your job capacity, be required to buy them for your company or department. It behooves you, then, to know a bit about your subject.

On to part four :: A Brief History of Neck Lanyards; or, Before They Were Popular :: Back to Index