| Lanyards, also referred to today as neck-straps, are | | | | Essentially it's a USB flash drive integrated into the |
| ropes or cords that are typically worn around the neck | | | | "clip" of the lanyard. The fact that you can pre-load |
| (hence the reference to neck-straps) to secure to you | | | | data onto the flash memory embedded in the lanyard |
| something of value or importance. | | | | clip and brand both the "clip" and the lanyard itself |
| Historically the "something" would most likely have | | | | makes it an ideal product for seminars, conference, |
| been a whistle, sword or pistol, which was typically | | | | trade shows, large companies with staff who wear ID |
| connected to the wearer's uniform. Lanyards were | | | | badges and so on. |
| particularly popular with navy or cavalry officers | | | | Just like any conventional USB flash drive the Lanyard |
| where there was a much greater risk of losing your | | | | USB is available in a range of different memory sizes |
| weapon or whistle. Clearly not something you wanted | | | | starting from 512MB all the way up to 16GB. The width |
| to happen! | | | | of the lanyard is a little wider than some of the |
| Over time the functional side of the lanyard within the | | | | standard ones available because the clip has to be |
| armed forces has diminished and you're more like to | | | | wide enough to accommodate the flash memory and |
| see them in use today as a decorative attachment | | | | the flash controller chips. |
| with different coloured braids that make up the lanyard | | | | Because of the multiple branding options presented by |
| denoting rank and affiliation within the armed forces. | | | | this product it really does look stunning and shows off |
| Outside of the armed forces lanyards have become | | | | a brand or multiple brands incredibly well. For the |
| incredibly popular within business and academic | | | | wearer the benefits are obvious; security, ease of use, |
| communities for displaying name badges, ID badges | | | | simplicity and whether you like wearing them or not |
| and security tags. Lanyards of this type are typically | | | | (and the world seems to be split on this) they do look |
| manufactured from polyester, nylon, silk or PET and will | | | | pretty stylish! |
| typically be branded in some way. | | | | |
| One of the more recent innovations in the world of the | | | | Whilst lanyard USB flash drives are unlikely to topple |
| lanyard is the development of the USB Lanyard – | | | | the dominance of standard promotional and branded |
| this novel product combines all the benefits of a | | | | flash drives they are an option that is likely to grow in |
| lanyard with all of the benefits of a USB flash drive. | | | | popularity. |