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Sky Ride Nut

Specifications

Sky Ride Nut

Category

World's Fairs

Classification

CHENHALL - Tools & Equipment for Materials - Multiple Use T&E for Materials - Fastener - Nut

Object Origin
Producer:

A Century of Progress

Date Manufactured:

1934

Place of Production:

Springfield, Illinois, United States of America

Physical Characteristics

Object Description: Hexagonal silver metal nut from the original Sky Ride. A rectangular black plaque with silver text is attached to the front.

Materials:

metal

Marks: "REMOVED FROM SKYRIDE / TOWERS "AMOS 'n ANDY" / "A CENTURY OF PROGRESS" / 1933 CHICAGO 1934 / DISMANTLED BY / BARKER-GOLDMAN-LUBIN CO. / SPRINFIELD, ILL."

Measurements: Object:
    Height: 2.375 in, Length: 4.5 in, Width: 3.75 in
    Weight: 5.8 lbs

Credit

Gift of Silas Fung, 1992.21.130

Display Status

Not On View

Sky Ride Nut

About: Sky Ride Nut

About: Sky Ride Nut

The Sky Ride was designed by Robinson and Steinman. Five companies were contracted to build the attraction: Otis Elevator Company, Mississippi Valley Structural Steel Company, John A. Roebling’s Sons Company, Inland Steel Company, and Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Company. These companies financed the Sky Ride’s construction and operation costs which totaled $1,4000,000 and that employed over 1,650 men. During the Exposition, the Sky Ride was a popular attraction. The ride had two towers and a cableway suspended across the lagoon. At 628 feet or 64 stories, the two towers were higher than any building in Chicago. Each tower had four elevators, two decks, and telescopes for viewing Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and across the lake to Michigan. At the time of construction, the 1850 ft. span between the towers was the second longest in the world (exceeded in span only by the George Washington Bridge that connects New Jersey to Manhattan, NY). The cable-cars traveled at the height of a 22-story building, carrying thirty-six passengers on a three-minute ride between the lakeshore and Northerly Island. Each car emitted steam, to resemble a rocket’s exhaust. The Sky Ride was able to handle 5,000 visitors an hour with approximately 4.5 million visitors taking a ride during the two years of the Exposition.

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