for: Keychain (Mac OS)

A keychain can also be a short chain used to link together a number of keys or other items. Sometimes keychains are even hung on walls.

Spelling

Spell checkers and dictionaries do not recognize the spelling "keychain," but separate the word into "key chain." keychain collectors and many other people prefer to use the word singularly (keychain).

There are many other terms that all refer to keychain as well. These include key ring, key holder, key tag, and key fob.

Use of keychains

Keychains are commonly used to promote businesses. A standard advertising key chain will carry the businesses name and contact information and often a logo. The most popular advertising keychains are shaped like a "number 1" to imply the quality of the business that is advertising. Other popular shapes are a house, owl and squares or rectangles.

In the 1950s and 1960s with the improvement of plastic manufacturing techniques, promotional items including keychains became more unique. Businesses could place their names on promotional keychains that were three dimensional for less expensive than the standard metal keychains.

Keychains are small and inexpensive enough to become promotional items for larger national companies that might give them out by the millions. For example, with the launch of a new movie or television show, those companies might partner with food companies to provide a character keychain in each box of cereal etc.

Keychains are one of the most common souvenir items. They are very inexpensive and small to store both while traveling home and don't take up much room in a home. Keychains can act as a reminder of the trip since they can be carried around during everyday life. They also are gender and age neutral and can appeal to many types of vacation shoppers.

Costs

Keychains are found in retail stores to represent things such as television shows, movies, video games, nostaligia, hobbies, interests and personalities. These keychains range from a dollar up to ten dollars and more.

Electronic keychains including games and small organizers start at a few dollars and can be up to 50 US dollars. Other keychain electronics including cameras, digital photo frames and USB drives start around ten USD and can go over 100 USD.

Souvener keychains are one of the most popular keychains that sell. These are keychains that represent a trip or a location that a person is visiting. These most commonly range from under a dollar to 10 dollars.