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.