Neck lanyards are braided materials in different color combinations used as ID holders and lanyard keychains. A badge lanyard is specifically used by schools, universities, government agencies and companies as a means of carrying their identification cards.
Customized promotional lanyards can be bought in local department stores and in online shops. In fact, if you want a lanyard you can call your own, you can order for a uniquely designed lanyard for your keys, cell phone or ID.
Many people do not know however where lanyards originated from. They were first used in the cavalry when military men still rode horses. Since it was very easy for the soldiers to lose their pistols and their whistles while riding a horse, lanyards were needed to keep their major tools in place.
They were also used by the navy while at sea. Aboard a ship, it was difficult to keep everything in place even those in the pockets of navy men that is why they also used these braided cords.
As time went by, these lanyards became decorative items on military uniforms. They were used as symbols placed on the shoulder part of the uniform to denote which part of the army or the military a certain soldier belongs to. It also indicates what class the soldier is.
Today, a simple neck lanyard is made from braided fabric. There is always a clip on its lower end which can be used as a key holder or cell phone holder as well as a carrying device for IDs. It is usually used by businesses especially those in retail so that customers can identify which person to ask when they need assistance.
Apart from cell phones, they are also used for cameras, USB flash drives, MP3 players and iPods. Since most of these gadgets are small, it is easy to drop them and not notice at all, with a lanyard however, you can be sure that your electronic devices are safe.
