A Small Key Opens Big Doors; A Small Key Ring Keeps It Close At Hand

A Small Key Opens Big Doors; A Small Key Ring Keeps It Close At Hand

The humble key ring has been one of man's greatest inventions, especially for the careless man. While the design, shape and color vary dramatically, the purpose of the device has remained virtually unchanged for hundreds of years. Even as the world has unlocked the doors of novelty and self-promotion, this simple gadget has met encroaching technology and taken on a wide range of guises while never losing sight of its basic function.

For as long as there has been a key to lock a door, a prison cell or a jewelery box; for as long as there has been chance to lose a key, there has had to be some means of keeping it safe. As far back as the Roman Empire there are recorded incidents of key rings. Naturally, they are minor references, which is only to be expected as successful versions of the tool have always been discreet and inconspicuous.

The common structure of the ring is little more than a circle of metal with the ability to be opened, so as to allow keys to be attached, and the strength to hold closed, so that the keys are secure. Variously bolted configurations have tried to fulfill this role, but the simple and efficient split ring form was only invented in the nineteenth century. Using a high-tensile metal, the two sections of the ring that overlap are held fast by the spring-like force. This allows the ring to be opened wide enough to insert a key with effort, but makes it impossible for the key to slip from the ring.

As technology has improved, the quality of the metal has also evolved, but the more noticeable advances in the nature of the key ring have been in the mechanism itself. The carabineer-style unit comes in a number of shapes, but their common element is the "gate". This is a sizeable part of the device which can be opened simply by squeezing both sides of the carabineer at the same time to open the "gate". Through a complex and highly efficient arrangement of springs and leverage the link is held closed. More sophisticated carabineer-style items include a locking mechanism that screws down over the moveable section making accidental opening virtually impossible.

Moreover, the original challenge of keeping track of keys can be met even more effectively through the use of a sound-activated unit. These devices respond to a loud sharp sound, such as a clap, an emit a signal in reply that makes finding keys buried under a mountain of bills or in the pocket of a pair of pants in the washing basket a straightforward process. But, while this feature is a stroke of genius normally, the gadget can cause embarrassment if you forget to turn it off when you go to the theater.

In conjunction with these advances, the addition of a retractable line to the gadget even reduces the time and effort required to return the keys to the pocket or handbag from which they came. Once the lock is opened, simply release the keys and the retractable line pulls them back swiftly and easily.

But as high-tech and clever as the key ring has become, their popularity has also been aided by the ability of companies and souvenir traders to make them a marketing tool. Many ingenious advertising executives have attached to the basic product everything from small samples of a bearing companies merchandise to die cast replicas of the Eiffel Tower. Then, every time someone puts their hand in a pocket for keys, they are reminded of the supplier they need to call or the experiences they shared with their family last summer.

Changes in color, extra appendages, added technology and more user friendly gimmicks all have their place. But it is important to not lose sight of the original purpose of the key ring, which was to help you not lose sight of your keys.

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