A Short Overview Of The History Of Lanyards

A lanyard is a rope or cord often worn around the neck or wrist to carry something

. Usually it is used when there is a risk of losing an object or to ensure it is always visible. People see and use them every day without knowing that the term ''lanyard'' dates back to the 15th century. It can be interesting to learn some more about the history of lanyards. Originally, they were used on ships to lash and tighten the rigging. Sailors also used lanyards to carry items such as knives, pistols and whistles while on board.

Later lanyards became a supplement to a military uniform. It was a piece of cord, used to secure a jack-knife, used as a weapon in war. They were also used to connect a pistol, sword or whistle (for signalling) to a uniform on a semi-permanent basis. These cords were applied in situations where there was a good chance of losing the object - commonly by cavalry and naval officers at sea. They were worn on the left shoulder with the end containing the knife tucked into the left breast pocket.

In 1920 lanyards were moved to the right shoulder, simply because of the problem of trying to remove the knife from the pocket underneath the bandolier. In 1933, the knife was removed completely and the lanyard became a straight cord, worn purely as an ornamental item of dress. The basic lanyard was a simple piece of strong cord, but it was gradually turned into something a bit more decorative, smartened up with colours and styles, ultimately taking its present form. Lanyards of various colour combinations and braid patterns are also commonly worn on the shoulders of military uniforms to denote the wearer's qualification or regimental affiliation.

Contemporary lanyard materials include polyester, nylon, satin and even silk. There are four main types of lanyards, such as cord, tube, ribbon (also called flat) and beaded. This flat tubing provides space for the placement of names, logos or any other promotional printing. Custom printed lanyards are extremely popular items and are relatively inexpensive. Printing techniques vary from a hot stamp to a more costly dye sublimation process. Additionally, printed lanyards are available in seemingly endless patterns, colours, styles and lengths.

Nowadays lanyards are widely used with small electronic devices such as cameras, MP3 players and USB flash drives to prevent loss or dropping. Such devices usually have a small through-hole built into a corner or edge of the device. The corresponding lanyard generally has a loop of thread on the end that is attached to that hole with a simple knot. It is fairly common to see ID badges dangling from a lanyard with the name of a company or an event printed on it. This promotional lanyard is an ideal marketing device to promote business. In this manner, the lanyard serves as an inexpensive form of advertising, making it functional as well as profitable. Beyond its commercial use, the lanyard is designed to secure small objects, such as badges, keys, cell phones and other small items.

It is clear that lanyards had their place in history and have evolved through time. While the original lanyard materials were completely different than the materials of today, the main functions have remained constant.

by: Nick Topitzes

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