Guide to the Samuel S. Scherr Papers, 1940 - 2002

Collection Number MC 331

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Collection Information
Abstract:

The Samuel S. Scherr Papers document the professional and personal life of Samuel Scherr. The primary focus of this collection is Sherr's career as an industrial designer, but it also includes information about Scherr's private life, especially his time in the Army during World War II. The collection contains patent information, drawings, trademarks, pictures, sketches, videos, correspondence, and personal memorabilia from World War II. The collection spans the early 1940s to 2002.

Samuel S. Scherr (1923-2002), industrial and product designer, was president of Scherr & McDermott, a design firm working in the fields of industrial, environmental, and graphic design. In 1955 as CEO and President of Scherr & McDermott, collaborating with the International Cooperation Administration, Scherr helped establish the Korean Small Scale Industry & Handicraft Design Center in South Korea. In 1977, Samuel Scherr became the President of the American Crafts Council, a position he held for two years. Scherr continued his design and marketing work with Samuel Scherr & Partners, Fulton + Partners, and as an individual consultant.

Contact Information:
Special Collections Research Center
NCSU Libraries
Campus Box 7111
Raleigh, North Carolina
27695-7111 USA
Phone: (919) 515-2273
Fax: (919) 513-1787
URL: http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/specialcollections/
Web Contact Form
Processed by
Jason Smith
Date Completed
May 2004
Encoded by
Jason Smith

Descriptive Summary

Creator

Scherr, Samuel S., 1923-2002

Title

Samuel S. Scherr Papers, 1940 - 2002

Call Number

MC 331

Extent

14 archival storage box, 6.0 linear feet

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff.

Information for Users

Restrictions to Access

This collection is open for research; access requires at least 24 hours advance notice.
Acquisitions Information

Gift of Mary Ann Scherr in 2003 (Accn. no. 2003-0013).
Preferred Citation

[Identification of Item], Samuel S. Scherr Papers, MC 331, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Copyright Notice

The nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials.

The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note


Samuel S. Scherr (1923-2002) was a respected professional in the fields of industrial and product design. Born October 31, 1923 in Akron, Ohio, Scherr began schooling in 1941 at the Cleveland Institute of Art majoring in Industrial Design. His schooling was interrupted when in 1943 he enlisted with the United States Army Air Force. While in the Army Air Force, Scherr was attached to the 5th Air Force Combat Camera Unit. Stationed in the Pacific Theatre, Scherr was a part of many military operations; he quickly advanced to the rank of sergeant. He was awarded a Bronze Star along with two Air Medals. Upon his honorable discharge from the Army Air Force in 1945, Scherr returned to the Cleveland Institute of Art.

After Scherr graduated from the Cleveland Institute of Art in 1946, General Motors hired him to work in its design department, specializing in automobile accessories and interiors. In 1948, Samuel Scherr, along with Eugene Smith and Jim McDermott, formed Smith, Scherr & McDermott International, a design firm working in the fields of industrial, environmental, and graphic design. The company later changed its name to Scherr & McDermott upon the departure of Eugene Smith. Scherr served as Scherr & McDermott International's President until 1977. During his 29 years at Scherr & McDermott, Scherr saw the design firm open offices in diverse places such as New York, South Korea, Peru, Columbia, and Ecuador. Headquartered out of Akron, Ohio, Scherr & McDermott served a plethora of clients, including Hoover, Rubbermaid, the City of Akron, General Electric, and the Government of Korea. Products that were designed by Scherr & McDermott include the Hoover Suitcase Vacuum (included in the Louvre's 100 Best Product Designs of the 20th Century) and the City of Akron's seal (it served as Akron's official seal from 1965 until it was officially replaced in 1996).

In 1955 as CEO and President of Scherr & McDermott, collaborating with the International Cooperation Administration, Scherr helped establish the Korean Small Scale Industry & Handicraft Design Center in South Korea. In 2000 as a result of this work, Scherr was named "Father of Industrial and Product Design in Korea." In 1974, Scherr joined Kromex, a Cleveland Ohio Company. At Kromex, Scherr was named Design and Product Development Manager for the Housewares Division.

In 1977, Scherr & McDermott was dissolved. Samuel Scherr became the President of the American Crafts Council. Headquartered in New York City, the American Crafts Council is a non-profit organization that represents craftsmen and artists. As part of his job as President of the American Crafts Council, Scherr had to oversee the sale of the American Craft Museum to the Museum of Modern Art. He also had to supervise the design and construction of new American Craft Museum and office facility. Scherr served in this position for two years.

Samuel Scherr continued to design late into his life. He spent many of his retired years working on the Tri-Cap Spire, a tower that Scherr had envisioned for Raleigh, North Carolina. The Tri-Cap Spire would have stood 625 feet, placing it amongst the taller towers of the world.

At the end of his tenure from the American Crafts Council, Scherr went on to form a new business, Samuel Scherr & Partners. This business served to provide design and marketing services to multi-national corporations, advertising agencies, industrial design firms, and marketing service organizations. In 1989, Samuel Scherr & Partners dissolved.

Samuel Scherr, while working for Samuel Scherr & Partners, joined Fulton + Partners as a Vice President. Fulton + Partners is a New York City-based design firm founded in 1966 by James Fulton, a past president of the Industrial Designers Society of America.

From 1989 until his death in 2002, Samuel Scherr was a design and marketing consultant in North Carolina and Ohio. He was involved with real estate and rehabilitation of older buildings for uses in commercial and living environments.

Samuel Scherr was a member of the American Marketing Association, the Industrial Design Society of America, the Mayor's Commission-Urban, the Design-City of Akron, the Board of Directors-Weathervane Playhouse, the Hart Directors Club of New York, and the Board of Directors-City Gallery Museum, Raleigh, North Carolina. Among his honors, Samuel Scherr was named the Father of Industrial Design in Korea in 2000. Also in 2000, Samuel Scherr and his wife were awarded the Design Guild Award by North Carolina State University School of Design.

Samuel Scherr married a fellow designer, Mary Ann Weckman in May 1947. Mary Ann Scherr is a noted metal smith and jeweler. She teaches at Meredith College, in Raleigh North Carolina. The Scherrs had three children, Randall, Scott, and Sydney Jo.

Scope and Content Note


The Samuel S. Scherr Papers document the professional and personal life of Samuel Scherr. The primary focus of this collection is Sherr's career as an industrial designer, but it also includes information about Scherr's private life, especially his time in the Army during World War II. The collection contains patent information, drawings, trademarks, pictures, sketches, videos, correspondence, and personal memorabilia from World War II. The collection spans the early 1940s to 2002.

Organization of Collection


The collection is divided into three major series. The first series Personal Papers, contains information relating to Scherr's time spent in the United States military and his personal life. The Professional Papers series contains documents related to Samuel Scherr's life as an Industrial Engineer. The Audiovisual Material series, contains photographs and videocassettes from throughout Scherr's personal and professional life.

Online Catalog Terms


The following terms have been used to index the guide to the collection in the NCSU Library's online catalog.

Individuals

  • Scherr, Samuel S., 1923-2002.
  • Scherr, Mary Ann, 1931- .
  • Kyung Won Chung

Corporate Entities

  • American Crafts Council.
  • American Society of Industrial Designers.

Topics

  • Design, Industrial--United States.
  • Design, Industrial--Korea (South)
  • Graphic arts.
  • World War, 1939-1945--Campaigns--Pacific Ocean.
  • World War, 1939-1945--Military currency.
  • World War, 1939-1945--Personal Narratives, American.

Detailed Description of the Collection

  • Personal Papers


    1.5 Archival Storage Boxes , 1.0 linear feet

    This series covers the personal life of Sam Scherr. This series includes Scherr's time in the military during World War II, and his family life. The series is organized in Alphabetical order.

    • 50th Wedding Anniversary, May, 1997 - June, 1997 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder1]
    • 50th Wedding Anniversary, May, 1997 - June, 1997 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder2]
    • Biographical, undated [MC 331 Box 1, Folder3]
    • Correspondence [MC 331 Box 1, Folder4]
    • Leeper Desure Family Reunion [MC 331 Box 1, Folder5]
    • Memorabilia
      • Appointment Book, 1982 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder6]
      • Appointment Book, 1983 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder7]
      • Appointment Book, 1984 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder8]
      • Appointment Book, 1985 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder9]
      • Bob Hope [MC 331 Box 1, Folder10]
      • Military Currency [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
      • Sketch of Sam Scherr, January 12, 1998 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder11]
      • Stamps [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
      • Stamps [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
      • Stamps [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
      • Stamps [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
      • Geisha Art from World War II [MC 331 Box 1, Folder12]
      • Miscellaneous items from World War II [MC 331 Box 1, Folder13]
      • War Department Envelope from World War II [MC 331 Box 1, Folder14]
    • Party for Mary Ann Scherr
      • Party for Mary Ann Scherr, July, 1988 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder15]
      • Correspondence, July 1988 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder16]
      • RSVPs, July 1988 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder17]
      • RSVPs, July 1988 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder18]
    • Press Clippings [MC 331 Box 1, Folder19]
    • Resume [MC 331 Box 1, Folder20]
    • Soon Hyung Kwon [MC 331 Box 1, Folder21]
    • New York [Oversized], 1997 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
    • Venezuela, 1993 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder22]
    • World War II Certificates, January 19, 1944, November 12, 1945 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder23]
    • World War II, Manila Movement [MC 331 Box 1, Folder24]
    • World War II Documents [MC 331 Box 1, Folder25]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Professional Papers


    7 Archival Storage Boxes , 3.5 Linear Feet

    This series is divided into seven subseries. It covers the entire professional life of Scherr, from his time at General Motors to his freelance and real estate work after he had retired. This series is divided into alphabetical order.

    • American Crafts Council [MC 331 Box 1, Folder26]
    • American Society of Interior Designers [MC 331 Box 1, Folder27]
    • Art, Japan and Korea [MC 331 Box 1, Folder28]
    • Fulton + Partners
      • Advertising [MC 331 Box 1, Folder29]
      • Correspondence
        • Arlyn Inc. [MC 331 Box 1, Folder30]
        • Libbey Glass [MC 331 Box 1, Folder31]
        • Nabisco [MC 331 Box 1, Folder32]
        • Tadiran Electronic Industries [MC 331 Box 1, Folder33]
        • Universal Paper Goods [MC 331 Box 1, Folder34]
        • Whirlpool Corporation [MC 331 Box 1, Folder35]
      • Financial [MC 331 Box 1, Folder36]
      • Products [MC 331 Box 1, Folder37]
      • Product Design [MC 331 Box 1, Folder38]
      • Resume
        • General [MC 331 Box 1, Folder39]
        • General [MC 331 Box 1, Folder40]
        • General [MC 331 Box 1, Folder41]
        • Marvin Jensen [MC 331 Box 1, Folder42]
      • Sam Scherr [MC 331 Box 1, Folder43]
    • Hearne Automotive
      • Contact Information [MC 331 Box 2, Folder1]
      • Logo Designs [MC 331 Box 2, Folder2]
      • Sign Specifications [MC 331 Box 2, Folder3]
      • Sketches [MC 331 Box 2, Folder4]
    • Korea
      • Art [MC 331 Box 2, Folder5]
      • Globalization Strategy [MC 331 Box 2, Folder6]
      • Industrial Activities Bulletin, July, 1959 [MC 331 Box 2, Folder7]
      • Kyung Won Chung [MC 331 Box 2, Folder8]
    • Kromex [MC 331 Box 2, Folder21]
    • Kromex, Ohio Arts Council [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
    • North Carolina State University, Venezuela Institute of Design [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
    • Real Estate
      • Air Conditioning Proposal [MC 331 Box 2, Folder9]
      • Appraisal [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
      • Bills and Payment [MC 331 Box 2, Folder10]
      • Closing [MC 331 Box 2, Folder11]
      • Financial Statements [MC 331 Box 2, Folder12]
      • Inspection Report [MC 331 Box 2, Folder13]
      • Insurance [MC 331 Box 2, Folder14]
      • Landscaping [MC 331 Box 2, Folder15]
      • Lumber [MC 331 Box 2, Folder16]
      • Appraisal [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
      • Purchase Contract [MC 331 Box 2, Folder17]
      • Remodeling [MC 331 Box 2, Folder18]
      • Utilities [MC 331 Box 2, Folder19]
      • Variance [MC 331 Box 2, Folder20]
    • Scherr Papers
      • Advertising [MC 331 Box 2, Folder22]
      • Loan [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
      • Publicity [MC 331 Box 2, Folder23]
      • "Our People" [MC 331 Box 2, Folder24]
    • Scherr & McDermott
      • Akron City Seal [MC 331 Box 2, Folder25]
      • Akron City Seal, Press Clippings [MC 331 Box 2, Folder26]
      • Alianza [MC 331 Box 2, Folder27]
      • Alianza [MC 331 Box 2, Folder28]
      • Awards [MC 331 Box 2, Folder29]
      • "Boron Glasses" [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
      • Clients [MC 331 Box 2, Folder30]
      • Correspondence [MC 331 Box 2, Folder31]
      • Coporate Logos [MC 331 Box 2, Folder32]
      • Dwight Eisenhower [MC 331 Box 2, Folder33]
      • Guyana
        • Contract [MC 331 Box 2, Folder34]
        • Correspondence [MC 331 Box 2, Folder35]
        • Jewlery Design [MC 331 Box 2, Folder36]
        • Press Clippings [MC 331 Box 2, Folder37]
      • "Industrial Design", 4th Annual Design Review [MC 331 Box 3, Folder1]
      • "Industrial House" [MC 331 Box 3, Folder2]
      • Inter Society Color Council [MC 331 Box 3, Folder3]
      • Korea, American Embassy Bulletin [Oversized], August 1955 [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
      • Korea, Handicraft and Small Scale Industry [MC 331 Box 3, Folder4]
      • Korea, Press Clippings [MC 331 Box 3, Folder5]
      • Metal Christmas Tree [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
      • Pastels of Clocks [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
      • Patents
        • Automotive Service Table [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Automotive Service Table [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Bowling Bags [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Chair [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Chair [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Electric Iron [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Golf Bag [MC 331 Box 3, Folder6]
        • Marble Gun [MC 331 Box 3, Folder7]
        • Slit Eye Shades [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Tappered Collapsible Container [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Toy Tractor [MC 331 Box 3, Folder8]
        • Toy Tractor [MC 331 Box 3, Folder9]
        • Toy Tractor [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Toy Tractor [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Wall Tile [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
      • Patent Information
        • American Machine & Foundry Company [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • Gas-Fired Door Heater [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 3, Folder]
        • General Tire & Rubber Company [MC 331 Box 3, Folder10]
        • House Resolution 8873 [MC 331 Box 3, Folder11]
        • Miscellaneous [MC 331 Box 3, Folder12]
        • Syringe Package [MC 331 Box 3, Folder13]
        • Trademarks [MC 331 Box 3, Folder14]
        • Trademark [Flat File] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
        • Trademarks and Copyrights [MC 331 Box 3, Folder15]
      • Photograph Negatives [MC 331 Box 3, Folder16]
      • Photograph Negatives [MC 331 Box 3, Folder17]
      • Photograph Negatives [MC 331 Box 3, Folder18]
      • Product Design [MC 331 Box 3, Folder19]
      • Product Design, Concept Automobile [MC 331 Box 3, Folder20]
      • Product Design, Pastel of Automobile [Flat File] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
      • Product Design, Pastel of Autmobile [Flat File] [MC 331 Box 2, Folder]
      • Press Clippings [MC 331 Box 3, Folder21]
      • Resume [MC 331 Box 3, Folder22]
      • Russia [MC 331 Box 3, Folder23]
      • Sketches
        • Candle Holders [MC 331 Box 3, Folder24]
        • Candle Holders [MC 331 Box 3, Folder25]
        • Clocks [MC 331 Box 3, Folder26]
        • Glass Holders [MC 331 Box 3, Folder27]
        • Miscellaneous [MC 331 Box 3, Folder28]
        • Miscellaneous [MC 331 Box 3, Folder29]
        • Miscellaneous [MC 331 Box 3, Folder30]
        • Peruvian Block [MC 331 Box 3, Folder31]
        • Wine Racks [MC 331 Box 4, Folder1]
        • Wine Racks [MC 331 Box 4, Folder2]
      • Speeches
        • American Crafts Council [MC 331 Box 4, Folder3]
        • American Marketing Association [MC 331 Box 4, Folder4]
        • Blackwell [MC 331 Box 4, Folder5]
        • Miscellaneious [MC 331 Box 4, Folder6]
        • Porcelain Enamel Institute [MC 331 Box 4, Folder7]
      • Time Sheet [MC 331 Box 4, Folder8]
      • X-Acto [MC 331 Box 4, Folder9]
    • Society of Industrial Designers
      • 7th Annual meeting [MC 331 Box 4, Folder10]
      • 7th Annual meeting [MC 331 Box 4, Folder11]
      • 7th Annual meeting [MC 331 Box 4, Folder12]
      • 7th Annual meeting [MC 331 Box 4, Folder13]
    • Tri-Cap Spire
      • Contracts [MC 331 Box 4, Folder14]
      • Correspondence [MC 331 Box 4, Folder15]
      • Kline Towers [MC 331 Box 4, Folder16]
      • Ottis Elevators [MC 331 Box 4, Folder17]
      • Planning [MC 331 Box 4, Folder18]
      • Proposal [MC 331 Box 4, Folder19]
      • Research
        • Demographics [MC 331 Box 4, Folder20]
        • Financial [MC 331 Box 4, Folder21]
        • Focus Groups [MC 331 Box 4, Folder22]
        • Focus Group VHS Cassettes [Oversized]March 23, 1998 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
        • Focus Group VHS Cassettes [Oversized]March 25, 1998 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
        • Focus Group VHS Cassettes [Oversized]March 30, 1998 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
        • Focus Group VHS Cassettes [Oversized]April 1, 1998 [MC 331 Box 1, Folder]
        • Marketing [MC 331 Box 4, Folder23]
        • Marketing [MC 331 Box 4, Folder24]
      • Sketches [MC 331 Box 4, Folder25]
      • Sketches [Oversized] [MC 331 Box 4, Folder]
      • "South of the Border" [MC 331 Box 4, Folder26]
      • Survey [MC 331 Box 4, Folder27]
      • Survey 1-19 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder28]
      • Survey 20-39 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder29]
      • Survey 40-59 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder30]
      • Survey 60-79 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder31]
      • Survey 80-99 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder32]
      • Survey 100-119 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder33]
      • Survey 120-139 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder34]
      • Survey 140-152 [MC 331 Box 4, Folder35]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Oversized Series 1


    2 Archival Storage Boxes , 1.0 Linear Feet

    This series contains legal sized documents from Scherr's personal and professional life.

    • Memorabilia
      • Currency [MC 331 Box 5, Folder1]
      • Stamps [MC 331 Box 5, Folder2]
      • Stamps [MC 331 Box 5, Folder3]
      • Stamps [MC 331 Box 5, Folder4]
      • Stamps [MC 331 Box 5, Folder5]
    • New York, 1997 [MC 331 Box 6, Folder1]
    • Kromex, Ohio Arts Council [MC 331 Box 6, Folder2]
    • North Carolina State University, Venezuela Institute of Design [MC 331 Box 6, Folder3]
    • Real Estate, Appraisal [MC 331 Box 6, Folder4]
    • Real Estate, Purchase [MC 331 Box 6, Folder5]
    • Scherr Papers, Loan [MC 331 Box 6, Folder6]
    • Scherr & McDermott
      • "Boron Glasses" [MC 331 Box 6, Folder7]
      • Korea, American Embassy Bulletin, August, 1955 [MC 331 Box 6, Folder8]
      • Patent
        • Automotive Service Table [MC 331 Box 6, Folder9]
        • Automotive Service Table [MC 331 Box 6, Folder10]
        • Bowling Bags [MC 331 Box 6, Folder11]
        • Chair [MC 331 Box 6, Folder12]
        • Chair [MC 331 Box 6, Folder13]
        • Electric Iron [MC 331 Box 6, Folder14]
        • Slit Eye Shades [MC 331 Box 6, Folder15]
        • Tapered Collapsible Container [MC 331 Box 6, Folder16]
        • Toy Tractor [MC 331 Box 6, Folder17]
        • Toy Tractor [MC 331 Box 6, Folder18]
        • Wall Tile [MC 331 Box 6, Folder19]
      • Patent Information, American Machine & Foundry Company [MC 331 Box 6, Folder20]
      • Patent Information, Gas-Fired Door Heater [MC 331 Box 6, Folder21]
    • Tri-Cap Spire, Sketches [MC 331 Box 6, Folder22]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Oversized Series 2


    2 Archival Storage Boxes , 1.0 Linear Feet

    This series contains pastels and a metal Christmas tree created by Scherr & McDermott.

    • Pastels of Clocks [MC 331 Box 7, Folder]
    • Metal Christmas Tree [MC 331 Box 8, Folder]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Audiovisual Materials


    6 Archival Storage Boxes , 1.5 Linear Feet

    This series contains photographs and VHS Cassettes

    • Tri-Cap Spire, Focus Group VHS Cassette, March 23, 1998 [MC 331 Box 9, Folder]
    • Tri-Cap Spire, Focus Group VHS Cassette, March 25, 1998 [MC 331 Box 9, Folder]
    • Tri-Cap Spire, Focus Group VHS Cassette, March 30, 1998 [MC 331 Box 9, Folder]
    • Tri-Cap Spire, Focus Group VHS Cassette, April 1, 1998 [MC 331 Box 9, Folder]
    • Photographs [MC 331 Box 10, Folder]
    • Photographs [MC 331 Box 11, Folder]
    • Photographs [MC 331 Box 12, Folder]
    • Photographs [MC 331 Box 13, Folder]
    • Photographs [MC 331 Box 14, Folder]

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]

  • Flat File

    • Trademark
    • Product Design, Pastel of Automobile
    • Product Design, Pastel of Automobile

    [Return to Descriptive Summary]