What did the name lanyard come from? Today’s first reaction to the word “lanyard” what comes to mind for most people is a cord that you put around your neck to hold an event pass or ID badge. And, while that’s one of the most common uses of the lanyard, especially in corporate settings, lanyards aren’t a new invention. In fact, the history of the lanyard is actually quite colorful, exciting and adventurous.
Origins
The earliest references to lanyards date from 15th century France: “lanière” was a thong or strap apparatus. In the French military, lanyards were used to connect a pistol, sword or whistle (for signalling) to a uniform semi-permanently. Lanyards were used by cavalry and naval officers at sea. A pistol lanyard can be easily removed and reattached by the user, but will stay connected to the pistol whether it is drawn or in a holster. In the 1966 Spaghetti Western The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, one of the main characters, Tuco Ramirez, carries his pistol on a rope cord lanyard. Eli Wallach, the actor who played the part of Tuco, reportedly told director Sergio Leone that it was too difficult to put a pistol into a holster without looking, so Leone put Wallach’s pistol on a lanyard.
The Art and Application of Lanyards in Modern Times
As time went on, we are used to seeing some pretty fancy lanyards today, lanyards were developed with specific attachments which made it easier to switch out weapons, tools and other objects making them functional in both military and civilian life.
In the corporate world and event passes industry, lanyards are used as a means to display an ID badge or access pass. Lanyards make it easy to maintain security at events and corporate sites because a visibly displayed pass allows others to see who people are, what organization they belong to and what level of access they have.
Lanyards also serve another very important function at events: corporate branding. Companies use lanyards as a medium for printing their logo on and using them as promotional items and morale boosters both within and outside of their organization. As an item that can be used for a variety of functions from holding ID badges to keys, they are undoubtedly one of the most useful items to print your logo on for attaining further brand recognition.
Styles and materials
The style, design or material used will vary depending on end-purpose of the lanyard. Lanyard materials include polyester, nylon, satin, silk, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), braided leather or braided paracord.
Common styles
- Polyester imprinted lanyards
- Nylon imprinted lanyards
- Tube imprinted lanyards
- Dye-sublimated lanyards or full-color lanyards
Attachment styles
