The idea of joining beer can tabs together to make a chain was inspired by remembering the O. Henry story 'The Gift of the Magi' It was written a while ago and you can read it for free:

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Four_Million/The_Gift_of_the_Magi

In the story a young wife wants to buy her husband a chain for his prized pocket watch.

It made me wonder if a pocket watch chain could made from beer can tabs.

Supplies

Beer Can tabs.

Step 1: Cut Tabs

Collect enough tabs from beverage cans to make a chain.

Cut each tab on the upper right. Don't cut in the middle as the idea of cutting to the right means the cuts will be off set when 2 tabs are combined together.

Step 2: Pair Up

Place two tabs together facing each. This way the cuts are on opposing sides, making the links stronger and less likely to come apart.

Step 3: Glue

Link with another pair of tabs. Glue the pair of facing tabs together using a hot glue gun.

Continue to add links to extend the chain to the desired length.

Step 4: Strength Test

Before attaching the chain to a pocket watch a strength test was performed by attaching a handheld baggage scale and attempting to lift a 8-kilogram weight. The chain broke after the strain reached about 5-kilograms. The strength test demonstrated the chain is not strong enough to secure a valuable item like a pocket watch and should not be used.

However, the breaking and releasing of the chain at about 5 kg of strain could be used as a positive. Many people do not like to wear an l.D. lanyard around their neck as it could be grabbed hold of and pulled. A beer can lanyard would have the built in safety feature of releasing on being yanked.