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Wilhelm Schickard

Wilhelm Schickard (22 April 1592 – 23 October 1635) was a German polymath, astronomer, mathematician, and professor renowned for designing and building the first mechanical calculator, known as the "calculating clock," around 1623 to automate arithmetic for astronomical tables. Educated at the University of Tübingen, where he later taught Hebrew and oriental languages before becoming professor of astronomy, Schickard collaborated closely with Johannes Kepler on projects including biblical chronology, Hebrew studies, and the production of accurate maps of the Holy Land using innovative surveying techniques. His calculating device, detailed in letters to Kepler that were rediscovered in 1935, employed geared wheels to perform addition and subtraction of multi-digit numbers, with mechanisms for carrying over and even rudimentary multiplication and division via repeated operations, predating comparable machines by Blaise Pascal by nearly two decades. A skilled engraver and cartographer, Schickard also advanced mechanical instrument-making and philological scholarship on ancient languages, though his work was largely overshadowed by the disruptions of the Thirty Years' War and his untimely death from bubonic plague in Tübingen.

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family

Wilhelm Schickard was born on 22 April 1592 in , a town in the , . He was the son of Lucas Schickard, who had trained as a carpenter—following family tradition, as Lucas's father had been a sculptor who settled in —and his wife Margarete Gmelin, daughter of a Lutheran pastor. The Schickard family originated from the before relocating to . This background offered early immersion in and mechanical skills within the family environment, amid a Protestant milieu shaped by the region's adherence to following the . Württemberg's Protestant establishment, formalized in the 1530s, fostered theological influences through maternal ties to the .

Academic Training

Schickard enrolled at the around 1609, pursuing studies primarily in theology and oriental languages. He received a degree in 1609 and a in 1611, focusing on foundational humanities that emphasized scriptural interpretation and linguistic precision. These early years at the Lutheran seminary-integrated university provided rigorous training in classical and biblical scholarship, aligning with the institution's emphasis on Protestant theological education. A core component of his academic formation involved mastery of Hebrew and other , including Syriac, , and , which he pursued intensively through 1613. This linguistic expertise, honed via textual analysis and philological methods, positioned him for advanced roles in and oriental . Schickard's proficiency in these languages stemmed from dedicated coursework and self-directed study, reflecting the university's tradition of equipping scholars for and interpretive work. Complementing his humanities focus, Schickard gained initial exposure to and astronomy under the tutelage of Michael Mästlin, the professor who had previously instructed . Mästlin's lectures introduced heliocentric models and observational techniques, drawing on Tübingen's resources like astrolabes and ephemerides, which sparked Schickard's interest in quantitative . This interdisciplinary grounding, amid the university's lingering Keplerian influence, bridged with empirical sciences without yet extending to practical inventions.

Professional Career

Professorships and Roles

In 1619, Schickard was appointed professor of Hebrew at the , a position he secured following recommendations from regional authorities and his prior ecclesiastical roles. In this capacity, he delivered lectures on biblical languages, including Hebrew and , emphasizing philological accuracy for scriptural and producing pedagogical aids such as the Horologium Hebraeum to standardize instruction for students. His teaching balanced linguistic precision with theological application, reflecting the era's integration of humanist scholarship and confessional priorities within Lutheran academia. By 1631, upon the death of his former mentor Michael Mästlin, Schickard assumed the professorship of astronomy at the same institution, expanding his instructional scope to encompass and . Responsibilities in this role involved regular lectures on astronomical principles, drawing on empirical methods while aligning with the university's tradition of harmonizing science and scripture, as evidenced by his broader curriculum that occasionally overlapped with and . This dual professorship underscored his versatility as a navigating the interdisciplinary demands of Tübingen's faculty during the early stages of the , when institutional stability relied on multifaceted contributors.

Key Collaborations

Schickard's primary scholarly collaboration was with astronomer , initiated through correspondence in the early 1620s that centered on supporting Kepler's computational demands for the . A letter from Schickard to Kepler dated September 20, 1623, addressed astronomical observations and data pertinent to refining planetary ephemerides, demonstrating Schickard's practical contributions to Kepler's verification of Brahe's legacy datasets amid the era's manual burdens. This interaction causally spurred discussions on mechanical computation aids, as Kepler's protracted logarithmic and trigonometric reductions—often exceeding months per table—exposed the limitations of human calculation, prompting Schickard to explore automated alternatives tailored to such astronomical exigencies. Subsequent exchanges in 1623 and 1624 further exchanged prototypes and concepts for reckoning devices, with Schickard leveraging Kepler's endorsement to refine designs addressing and addition in ephemeris work, independent of Napier's yet informed by similar efficiency imperatives. These letters, preserved as primary artifacts, underscore a symbiotic dynamic where Schickard's Hebrew professorship complemented Kepler's imperial mathematician role, blending philological precision with empirical . Beyond Kepler, Schickard engaged a network of European savants, including close associate Matthias Bernegger for mutual scholarly dissemination, and astronomers Ismael Boulliau and for validations of observational instruments like the triquetrum. In , his expertise in Hebrew, , and biblical connected him to theological circles at , though specific joint publications remain sparse; these ties enriched interdisciplinary insights, such as applying geometric to ancient interpretations. An edition of his 830 extant letters reveals a hub for and , with recipients spanning 37 figures, prioritizing empirical exchanges over speculative theory.

Astronomical and Mathematical Work

Contributions to Celestial Calculations

Schickard collaborated closely with in the early 1620s, performing extensive numerical computations to verify planetary positions under Kepler's heliocentric model, particularly for the published in 1627. These efforts involved applying logarithmic tables—drawing from John Napier's innovations and Kepler's adaptations—to streamline trigonometric calculations of , such as eccentricities and mean anomalies, thereby reducing manual errors in deriving ephemerides. His correspondence with Kepler, including a letter dated September 20, 1623, highlighted the need for systematic aids to handle the voluminous data required for accurate predictions of celestial motions, prioritizing empirical validation over purely theoretical constructs. In his independent astronomical research, Schickard focused on lunar motion, publishing Ephemeris Lunaris in 1631, which provided precise tables for the Moon's positions based on observational data and trigonometric interpolations. These tables facilitated cartographic and navigational applications by offering verifiable positions derived from observations, emphasizing data-driven refinements to account for perturbations like solar and lunar inequalities. Schickard's methods prefigured later tabular astronomy by integrating logarithmic scaling to accelerate multiplications and divisions in planetary rectangle computations, enhancing the reliability of heliocentric predictions against geocentric alternatives. From his vantage in , Schickard conducted direct observations that informed his calculational work, noting the Moon's rugged, mountainous terrain rather than a smooth sphere, and documenting earthshine effects to refine estimates in positional models. He advocated augmentation of manual processes to minimize transcription errors in long-form , a conceptual shift toward automated verification that supported Kepler's empirical emphasis on causal realism in over speculative harmonies. These contributions underscored a commitment to precision in celestial tabulations, aiding the empirical substantiation of non-circular planetary paths through rigorous numerical cross-checks.

Cartographic and Surveying Achievements

Schickard initiated a comprehensive land survey of the in 1624, applying Willebrord Snellius's triangulation method—the first such use in geodesic measurements—which relied on measuring angles from known baselines to compute distances and positions with high precision. This approach yielded accurate regional maps by establishing a network of control points, demonstrating the direct causal efficacy of geometric over less reliable linear measurements in reducing errors across large terrains. To anchor the , Schickard incorporated astronomical observations for determining latitudes and longitudes, using fixes such as altitudes to calibrate coordinates and verify terrestrial alignments. These methods produced detailed topographical representations of , later influencing cartographers like , who drew on Schickard's data for regional depictions. In 1629, he published Kurze Anweisung, wie künstliche Landtafeln auss rechtem Grund zu machen, outlining practical steps for map construction grounded in and instrumental measurement, aimed at enabling surveyors and travelers to generate reliable charts from primary data. This work extended to state and applications, supporting demarcations, assessments, and in the by providing verifiable metrics for resolving territorial disputes.

Mechanical Inventions

The Calculating Clock

Wilhelm Schickard designed the (German: Rechenuhr), the earliest known , in 1623 to automate arithmetic for astronomical computations, particularly aiding Johannes Kepler's work on planetary tables. The device integrated a mechanical adding and subtracting mechanism with adaptations of John Napier's rods, enabling handling of up to six-digit numbers and signaling overflow via a bell. The machine featured rotating dials for digit input and output, with internal cog wheels propagating carries during addition and subtraction, representing an advance over manual tools like by mechanizing basic operations. Schickard described its principles in letters to Kepler dated September 20, 1623, and December 1624, including illustrations of the design, which confirmed its capability for direct entry and automated computation without manual rod manipulation for simple arithmetic. Schickard constructed at least one prototype, with plans for a second for Kepler, but the first was destroyed in a fire during transit, and the remainder lost, likely due to the and Schickard's death in 1635. Knowledge of the invention persisted through Kepler's papers, referenced in an 1718 biography, but full verification came in the with rediscovery of the letters, leading to functional reconstructions that validated the design's operational integrity. These models demonstrated reliable , , and with Napier's rods for multiplication and division, predating Blaise by nearly two decades.

Design Principles and Features

Schickard's calculating machine, known as the "calculating clock" or arithmeticum organum, operated on mechanical principles integrating digital with analog multiplication techniques derived from John Napier's rods. The lower section employed a series of six toothed wheels or dials for direct entry and , featuring an innovative automatic carry where each unit wheel included a single to propagate tens during overflow, enabling reliable handling of multi-digit operations without manual intervention. This design marked the first known implementation of automated carry in a , addressing a key limitation in manual computation for astronomical tables. The upper section incorporated a mechanized version of , using six vertical rollers or rotating knobs to represent digits of the multiplicand and multiplier, facilitating and by shifting and aligning logarithmic scales akin to rod-based partial product generation. Users input values via a on the lower dials or by turning knobs on the upper assembly, with results accumulated in the adding mechanism; proceeded inversely through repeated aided by the Napier system. The machine supported six-digit numbers for both operands and results, with an indicator in the form of a bell that rang upon exceeding capacity, alerting the operator to errors in extended calculations. Key features included separate input sliders or buttons for storing intermediate values and a compact, clock-like suited for portability in scholarly use, though reliant on manual cranking or wheel rotation rather than a single drive mechanism. Designed explicitly for Kepler's tabular computations, it prioritized accuracy in repetitive over speed, embodying a hybrid analog-digital approach predating purely gear-based multipliers. Reconstructions based on Schickard's 1623–1624 letters to Kepler confirm the feasibility of these principles, with no surviving originals due to fire and loss.

Historical Construction and Fate

Schickard constructed a functional of his calculating clock, known as the Rechenuhr, in 1623 to assist with astronomical computations, particularly for adding and subtracting multi-digit numbers in the creation of tables. He documented the device in letters to dated December 1623 and March 1624, including a and usage instructions, confirming its operation for basic up to six digits with carry-over . Around the same time, Schickard built a second exemplar intended for Kepler, incorporating refinements such as a for and via repeated . The devices met destruction amid the disruptions of the ; a fire razed Schickard's workshop, consuming the Kepler-bound machine and any half-assembled improvements. Plans for additional construction halted as Schickard succumbed to on October 24, 1635, in , leaving no surviving originals. The calculating clock's existence persisted solely through the preserved correspondence and drawings, with no physical remnants recovered.

Rediscovery and Verification

Schickard's letters and sketches describing the calculating clock were rediscovered in 1935 during archival research into Johannes Kepler's manuscripts, though their significance for mechanical computation was not fully appreciated until the mid-1950s. In 1957, Franz Hammer, a Kepler biographer, published two key letters from Schickard to Kepler—one dated 20 1623 outlining the initial design and another from 25 1624 reporting on the prototype's partial construction and a fire that destroyed it. Verification came through physical reconstruction: between 1957 and 1960, Bruno von Freytag Löringhoff, a professor at the , built and tested a working model adhering closely to Schickard's diagrams and notes. This replica confirmed the machine's capacity for and up to six digits with automatic carry-over, as well as integration of rotating for multiplication and division, tailored for astronomical tabular calculations. The successful operation validated Schickard's claims of reduced manual error in Kepler's orbital computations. Subsequent replicas, including models, have replicated these functions without modern alterations, affirming the original design's viability despite the absence of surviving 17th-century . No evidence contradicts the letters' authenticity, and the reconstructions align with contemporaneous practices in and gearing.

Other Mechanical Devices

Schickard exhibited mechanical ingenuity in creating the Hebraea Rota, a pedagogical device introduced around 1621 to aid students in mastering Hebrew verb conjugations. This mechanism consisted of two rotating discs interlinked by wheels and cogs, with letters engraved on their surfaces to mechanically generate and display grammatical forms through rotation. The invention reflected Schickard's workshop skills in precise gearing and assembly, enabling reliable operation for repeated educational use. Beyond linguistic tools, Schickard designed a compact hand , a mechanical model for demonstrating planetary motions, as depicted in his 1632 portrait by Conrad Melperger where he holds the device. This orrery-like incorporated geared components to simulate celestial paths, adjusted empirically to align with observational data from contemporaries like Kepler, and served instructional purposes in astronomy lectures at . Such models underscored Schickard's integration of mechanics with empirical astronomy, distinct from computational aids. Schickard's workshop innovations in fine gearing and techniques, honed through collaborations on astronomical engravings, extended to these devices, ensuring durability and accuracy in motion representation transferable to observational tools without relying on manual computation.

Scholarly and Intellectual Pursuits

Linguistic and Biblical Scholarship

Schickard held the professorship of Hebrew at the from 1619, instructing students in biblical languages such as alongside Hebrew to enable direct scriptural analysis. His pedagogical approach emphasized philological accuracy, drawing on original texts to foster theological understanding grounded in linguistic evidence rather than secondary traditions. In 1623, he published Horologium Hebraeum, a compact Hebrew grammar distinguished by its methodical arrangement and brevity, which facilitated repeated editions and widespread adoption in European seminaries. This text systematically outlined Hebrew morphology, syntax, and etymology, prioritizing empirical derivation from biblical exemplars over speculative rabbinic accretions, thereby equipping scholars for precise exegesis amid Reformation-era scriptural disputes. Schickard's Mishpat ha-Melekh (also titled Ius Regium Hebraeorum e Tenebris Rabbinicis Erutum), issued posthumously, exemplifies his by extracting Hebraic concepts of kingship from what he viewed as obscuring rabbinic layers, advocating a return to unadulterated scriptural sources. This work reflects a commitment to causal textual recovery, challenging interpretive overextensions in Jewish and Christian polemics by privileging verifiable linguistic evidence. He linked Hebrew philology to chronological inquiry, applying grammatical rigor to biblical dating terms in efforts to resolve timelines through source-critical methods, distinct from purely arithmetic or astronomical computations. Such integration underscored his empiricist stance, wherein linguistic precision informed quantitative assessments of scriptural history without deference to dogmatic chronologies.

Engraving and Artisan Skills

Schickard exhibited proficiency in and copperplate , techniques he applied to create precise illustrations of astronomical and mechanical subjects. These skills allowed for the detailed depiction of intricate designs, such as planetary models and instrumental components, which were integral to documenting prototypes for his inventions. He contributed engravings to scholarly works, including drawings of planetary motions for Johannes Kepler's Harmonices Mundi (1619) and woodcuts for Kepler's Epitome Astronomiae Copernicanae (1618–1621). These productions enhanced the reproducibility of diagrams in print, permitting scholars to scrutinize and replicate empirical observations without reliance on original manuscripts. By mastering such methods, Schickard ensured that visual representations supported verifiable claims in astronomical and mechanical contexts. His expertise intertwined with broader competencies in and , fostering hands-on fabrication of devices like the calculating clock. This craftsmanship bridged traditional guild-based practices with emerging scientific methodology, enabling Schickard to translate conceptual designs into tangible prototypes through accurate scaling and material execution. Such integration underscored the practical foundations of his inventive output, where directly informed the feasibility and dissemination of mechanical innovations.

Political and Theological Writings

Schickard's primary contribution to was his 1625 treatise Jus regium Hebraeorum (also titled Mishpat ha-Melekh), in which he examined the biblical institution of through Hebrew scriptural and rabbinic sources, arguing that aligned with rather than constituting a rejection of theocratic . Drawing on texts such as 1 Samuel 8, he contended that the ' demand for a represented a permitted deviation from direct divine rule, regulated by constraints on royal power, including prohibitions against excessive taxation, forced labor, and multiplication of wives or horses. This interpretation emphasized empirical historical precedents from the and Talmudic commentary, portraying kingship as a covenantal office subordinate to God's law, thereby providing a scriptural counter to absolutist claims unbound by constitutional limits. In advocating this model, Schickard privileged literal of original Semitic texts over later interpretive traditions, reflecting his broader Protestant commitment to and autonomy in ecclesiastical for calendrical and chronological purposes. His of pro-monarchical arguments "from the of rabbinic sources into the " underscored a methodological skepticism toward centralized interpretive authorities, aligning with Lutheran preferences for decentralized church governance rooted in vernacular and scholarly access to primary sources rather than papal or conciliar mediation. This approach implicitly critiqued ultramontane assertions of temporal supremacy by the papacy, favoring instead a dualistic church-state framework where secular rulers exercised authority under biblical norms, as evidenced by his consultations of rabbinic legal tracts like ' Mishneh Torah. Schickard's eschatological reflections, integrated into his biblical chronologies, linked millenarian expectations to verifiable scriptural timelines and historical data, eschewing speculative utopias for calculations anchored in Hebrew genealogies and astronomical reckonings of sabbatical cycles. He projected apocalyptic fulfillments based on precise dating from —estimated at around 3980 BCE in his —toward a thousand-year reign, grounded in and Daniel's prophecies interpreted through literalist rather than allegorical or centralized prophetic narratives. Such views reinforced his anti-absolutist stance by envisioning ultimate as divine, with earthly powers provisional and accountable to prophetic standards, drawn from empirical biblical kingship records that highlighted cycles of obedience and judgment.

Death and Immediate Aftermath

Final Years and the Plague

As the Thirty Years' War ravaged southern Germany, Schickard experienced direct threats to Tübingen, fleeing with his family to Austria ahead of the 1631 battle near the city and again in 1632 amid advancing Imperial forces, yet returning each time to resume his professorial duties in Hebrew, mathematics, and astronomy. Following the Catholic victory at Nördlingen in September 1634, Tübingen averted sack through tribute payments, allowing Schickard to maintain scholarly continuity despite the surrounding chaos of troop movements and economic strain. In these years, Schickard persisted with astronomical and observational work, extending principles from his earlier exchanges with , who had died in 1630, including refinements to sundials and celestial mapping tools amid wartime disruptions that scattered academic networks. No records indicate abandonment of empirical methods or shifts toward speculative pursuits; instead, his focus remained on practical mechanics and data-driven astronomy, undeterred by the war's toll on resources and correspondence. The 1635 bubonic plague outbreak in , exacerbated by war-induced migration and poor sanitation, prompted evacuations, but Schickard initially fled with a son before returning, unwilling to forsake ongoing projects such as unpublished engravings and mechanical designs. He fell ill around October 18 and died on October 23, his unfinished astronomical and inventive endeavors abruptly terminated by the disease, with no completed prototypes or treatises emerging from this final phase.

Family Losses

Schickard's wife, who had borne him nine children over the course of their , had already endured the loss of five offspring prior to 1634, likely due to the pervasive hardships of and the disruptions of the in the region. These early deaths exemplified the empirical vulnerabilities of 17th-century family life, where infant and child rates often exceeded 50% amid limited medical knowledge, , and intermittent conflict-related instability. In late 1634 and early , a outbreak—exacerbated by troop movements during the war—devastated the remaining household. Schickard's wife and their three surviving daughters succumbed to the disease in quick succession, leaving only Schickard and his nine-year-old son alive initially. Schickard himself contracted the plague but briefly recovered before falling ill again in October ; he died on October 23 or 24, followed by his son just one day later. The complete annihilation of Schickard's left no direct descendants to preserve personal effects or scholarly materials, contributing to the obscurity of his work in subsequent decades. This outcome underscored the causal chain of pandemics in wartime , where displaced populations and unsanitary conditions facilitated rapid disease transmission, often wiping out entire households without regard for social status.

Legacy and Historical Assessment

Recognition in Computing History

Schickard's 1623 design for a mechanical , detailed in letters to , received formal recognition in the 20th century as the first documented apparatus for automated arithmetic computation, incorporating geared wheels to handle addition, subtraction, and carry-over operations. This predated Blaise Pascal's , constructed starting in 1642, by 19 years, establishing Schickard's priority based on surviving primary documents. Reconstructions undertaken in the by German mathematician Bruno von Freytag-Löringhoff verified the design's mechanical viability, demonstrating reliable digit-by-digit through interlocking toothed cylinders and a Napier-inspired compartment for and division. The machine's conceptual innovations, including automated carry propagation via single-tooth and integration of logarithmic aids, influenced later mechanical efforts by providing early precedents for gear-based digit manipulation and partial of complex operations. Empirical successes in these replicas highlighted the practicality of Schickard's approach, shifting historical assessments from obscurity to foundational status in . Commemorations in 2023 for the 400th anniversary of the design further affirmed this recognition, with the German Federal issuing a €20 depicting the machine and the hosting a ceremonial event to showcase working models. These initiatives emphasized the device's enduring relevance, as modern builds confirmed its capacity for error-free in Kepler's astronomical tabular work, underscoring Schickard's empirical groundwork for mechanical aids in numerical processing.

Debates on Inventive Priority

Schickard's calculating machine remained obscure for centuries following his death in 1635, primarily due to the loss of physical prototypes during fires, the , and the plague, with no surviving devices or widespread contemporary records beyond private correspondence. This absence allowed Blaise Pascal's 1642 to be long regarded as the first , despite its limitations to and via carry-over gears, without direct support for or division. Schickard's priority was reestablished in the mid-20th century through rediscovered letters to dated September 20, 1623, and December 1624, which detailed the construction of an operational "arithmetical clock" capable of adding and subtracting six-digit numbers, while integrating automated Napier's rods for and division—functions beyond Pascal's scope. These letters, including engineering drawings, confirm Schickard had built and tested models by 1623, predating Pascal by 19 years and evidencing independent without influence on later devices. Claims prioritizing Pascal or (whose 1673 advanced multiplication but followed both predecessors) have been rejected by historians based on the chronological primacy of Schickard's documented design and verification through Kepler's archived papers, which were unpublished until Franz Hammer's 1957 edition. Retroactive credits favoring Pascal overlook causal timelines, as Schickard's letters describe a functional assisting Kepler's astronomical computations, whereas Pascal's machine, while preserved in examples, addressed only his father's tax calculations with narrower arithmetic capabilities. Leibniz's work, though innovative, explicitly built on gear-based precedents without referencing Schickard, reinforcing independent developments separated by decades. Fringe assertions of ancient antecedents, such as the (c. 100 BCE), fail scrutiny for lacking mechanical evidence of arithmetic operations like automated with carry propagation, instead relying on analog gear trains for astronomical predictions without general calculatory purpose. Scholarly , grounded in primary epistolary evidence, affirms Schickard's 1623 invention as the earliest verifiable , dismissing later claims through comparative functional analysis and absence of pre-1623 mechanical analogs.

Enduring Impact and Modern Reappraisals

Schickard's invention of the mechanical calculating machine in 1623 marked a pivotal transition from manual to automated , laying groundwork for scalable computations essential to empirical s like astronomy. By incorporating geared wheels for , , and a carry —features absent in prior abaci or logarithmic tables—his device enabled faster processing of large datasets, such as planetary ephemerides, thereby reducing in iterative calculations. This mechanization anticipated the reliability demands of modern , where precision in repetitive operations underpins fields from to . In 2023, marking the 400th anniversary of his design, scholarly assessments reaffirmed Schickard's precedence over later inventors like , whose 1642 machine lacked comparable for via repeated . Articles highlighted the device's foresight, including its of a bell for alerts, as a precursor to error-handling in digital systems. These reappraisals, drawing on rediscovered correspondence with from 1935, underscore how archival evidence corrected narratives favoring French or later European contributions, emphasizing Schickard's polymathic synthesis of , , and in pursuit of verifiable . Schickard's legacy illustrates the value of interdisciplinary integration in technological progress, challenging reductionist histories that isolate "inventors" from broader causal chains. His emerged not in isolation but from fusing artisanal skills with astronomical needs, fostering a holistic approach that prioritized functional efficacy over disciplinary boundaries. Modern analyses caution against "great man" myths, instead crediting systemic rediscovery—via 20th-century and virtual modeling—for illuminating how overlooked prototypes like his enabled subsequent innovations in scalable . This perspective promotes rigorous source scrutiny, revealing how biases toward prominent figures delayed until empirical reconstruction validated his claims.

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