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Charles Richardson Pratt Papers

Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Collector:
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of History of Technology  Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Mechanical and Civil Engineering  Search this
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Work and Industry  Search this
Names:
Sprague, Frank J.  Search this
Extent:
6 Cubic feet (13 boxes, 8 oversize folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Diaries
Drawings
Trade catalogs
Photographs
Notebooks
Letterpress books
Patents
Place:
Montclair (N.J.)
Date:
1860-1935
bulk 1910-1924
Summary:
The papers document the professional career of mechanical engineer, Charles Richardson Pratt. The papers include correspondence, patents, patent application materials, agreements, photographs, publications, and blueprints for many of Pratt's inventions, especially his work on elevators.
Scope and Contents:
These papers contain personal materials of Charles R. Pratt; letterpress copybooks; engineering notebooks; diaries; material relating to the development of the heavy-duty, high-rise electric elevator; material concerning elevator cable equalizers and safety devices, Morton-Jacobsen and other lathe chucks, lathe drives and the Pratt Driver, the hydraulic transmission of power in trucks, and ship steering gear; and studies reports, drawings, photographs, catalogs, and trade literature concerning mechanical engineering.
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged into eight series.

Series 1: Personal Materials, 1875-1935

Series 2: Diaries, 1894, 1928-1931

Series 3: Correspondence, 1872-1920

Series 4: Notebooks, 1880, 1889, 1900

Series 5: Inventions, 1860-1927

Series 6: Photographs, 1890-1902

Series 7: Publications, 1895-1929

Series 8: Drawings, 1878-1929
Biographical / Historical:
Charles Richardson Pratt (1860-1935), was born in Massachusetts to John C. and Mary Anne Richardson. He graduated from the Hopkins School of Boston and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1879. Pratt worked at Whittier Machine Company of Boston (1882-1890) where he designed and built the first electric elevator in 1888. The elevator was installed in the Tremont House, Boston. Pratt also worked as an agent and later as a consulting engineer for the Otis Elevator Company, the inventors of the hydraulic elevator.

Pratt was best known for his development of the first electrically powered elevator. In 1892, inventor Frank Sprague (1857-1934) founded the Sprague Electric Elevator Company, and with Charles R. Pratt developed the Sprague-Pratt Electric Elevator. They demonstrated that electrically powered elevators were capable of competing with hydraulic elevators. Pratt held several engineering positions and worked for the Marine Engine Company of Newark, New Jersey (1902-1905) developing elevator systems; consulting engineer to the Universal Speed Control Company of New York City (1906-1919); consultant to the American Engineering Company of Philadelphia (1912); mechanical superintendent at the Crocker Wheel Company of Ampere, New Jersey (1919); engineer for the E. Horton and Sons Company of Connecticut (1920-1923); the General Tractors Corporation (1924-1927); and was associated with the Watson Elevator Company of New York City (1928-1930). Pratt patented many of his ideas, earning over thirty-five patents related mostly to elevators,

Pratt was a member of the Masons, the Sons of the American Revolution, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the MIT Club of New Jersey, and the Motor Club of London. He married Mary Byron Ladd and they had two children, Gertrude Ladd Pratt and Donald Richardson Pratt.
Provenance:
This collection was purchased from Charles R. Pratt's daughter, Gertrude Pratt Vance, in 1973.
Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Topic:
Mechanical engineering and engineers  Search this
Inventors  Search this
Elevators  Search this
Machine-tools  Search this
Patents -- 1890-1900  Search this
Power transmission  Search this
Genre/Form:
Diaries
Drawings
Trade catalogs
Photographs -- 19th century
Notebooks
Letterpress books
Patents -- 1870-1880
Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
Identifier:
NMAH.AC.0958
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep82afc1e29-876b-4494-9c92-64a14390613e
EDAN-URL:
ead_collection:sova-nmah-ac-0958
Online Media:

US 417, 086 and US 417, 087 (clutch appliance for elevators)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 6
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1889 - 1889
1891 - 1891
Scope and Contents:
Agreements with Frank Sprague, John H. Clark, Edward H. Johnson, and Thompson Houston Motor Company
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep88b5183af-03b8-4355-8c13-6b8743dfa9ac
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref100

US 444,102 (brake and starter for machinery)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 7
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1891 - 1891
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep84fcebb28-dd96-4747-acba-25c99f559ee6
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref102

US 448,788 (elevator)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 8
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1891
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8aa3d1534-416f-463f-ad37-4e9154e60aec
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref103

US 450,252 (elevator)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 9
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1891
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep850bb3fca-552e-4a3c-8917-e304dc4f7318
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref104

US 459,090 (controlling mechanism)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 10
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1891
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep82ed963f2-d8c4-4e71-bbb4-307f87b73678
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref105

US 465,218 (adjustable rheostat, with Frank Sprague)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 11
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1891
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8588d281b-7761-4a6e-a2e1-6d33c4eb19a2
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref106

US 472,909 (electric elevator)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 12
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1892
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep845da7459-a540-4130-88ca-2e2309aa5fd7
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref107

US 476,304 (ball bearing nut)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 13
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1892
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep852770c70-1aab-42e6-a99a-ad4f0f46b2b4
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref108

US 509,397 (electric elevator)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 14
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1893
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep863760bdf-4e7f-4d40-8a69-30884c21f16b
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref109

US 548,894 (elevator safety device)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 15
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1897
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8f345dfb2-091d-4dda-b097-3a989fd9038a
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref110

US 573,531 (elevator)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 16
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1896
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8937feebe-effe-4e91-a595-d967ba0675af
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref111

US 580,893 (elevator)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 17
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1897
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep849343278-5c1d-4bde-bb24-b6d20dd524ea
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref112

US 676,152 (elevator safety device)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 18
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1904 - 1905
Scope and Contents:
Includes assignment to Marine Engine and Machine Company.
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep807f3c4d4-e789-4589-ac55-cf3fd9985d2c
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref113

US 676,769 (thrust bearing)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 19
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1901
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8489377b5-9d2b-4bc0-9b24-87a1cceb54f9
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref115

US 763,204 (moving stairway)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 20
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1904
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep87dae11ab-9924-4916-b6ae-a88d74111c6e
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref116

US 846,613 (elevator safety device)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 21
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1907
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep8d8acb937-31ef-43ec-aa28-213e578445d5
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref117

US 853,733 (elevator safety device)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 22
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1907
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep89e8cf5c3-864b-439c-b36f-fc5650e730bc
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref118

US 865,205 (elevator)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 5, Folder 23
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1907
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep85eb260f9-f6c0-44fa-bd0c-1fe796b2c31f
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref119

US 958,679 (elevator patent gear)

Collection Creator:
Pratt, Charles Richardson, 1860-1935  Search this
Container:
Box 6, Folder 1
Type:
Archival materials
Date:
1906 - 1916
Collection Restrictions:
Collection is open for research but is stored off-site and special arrangements must be made to work with it. Contact the Archives Center for information at archivescenter@si.edu or 202-633-3270.
Collection Rights:
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Collection Citation:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers, 1860-1935, Archives Center, National Museum of American History.
See more items in:
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers
Charles Richardson Pratt Papers / Series 5: Inventions
Archival Repository:
Archives Center, National Museum of American History
GUID:
https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ep812ed5998-ab2b-425f-8416-b2fb2ddca079
EDAN-URL:
ead_component:sova-nmah-ac-0958-ref120

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