IT House News on October 24, technology media Appleinsider published a blog post yesterday (October 23), reporting that Corning CEO Wendell Weeks recently disclosed that the company’s cooperation with Apple began in 2007 with a successful lobbying by Steve Jobs.
Corning has been manufacturing screens for iPhones since 2007, and the latest iPhone 17 is also equipped with its second-generation Ceramic Shield 2 panel. Corning Weeks said that the nearly 20-year partnership between the two parties stemmed from a “master-level” pressure from Steve Jobs to convince him to take a huge risk for the original iPhone.
IT House has attached the complete video of the interview as follows:
Weeks recalled that he initially pitched Jobs on technology that could turn a cell phone into a projector, but Jobs unceremoniously called it “the stupidest idea he’d ever heard.” However, this meeting reminded Jobs of Corning as a company.
So when Jobs decided to abandon plastic and switch to a glass screen for the original iPhone, he immediately turned to Wicks and Corning. Unexpectedly, Corning insiders were not optimistic about the business and even suggested that Wicks reject Apple.
Faced with Corning’s hesitation, Jobs showed off his lobbying skills. He addressed Weeks directly:
Do you know what your problem is? You are just afraid. You’re afraid that I’m about to launch the greatest product ever, but that I’m going to fail because you’re going to fail and I’m going to discredit you.
Jobs went on to point out that Weeks’ fear was “holding back his employees from greatness.” These words finally hit Wicks, making him determined to accept the iPhone screen production contract even at the risk of suffering the wrath of Jobs.
The venture proved to be a huge success. Not only did the iPhone change the world, Corning also reaped huge rewards, and the cooperation between the two parties continues to this day.
Apple recently announced another $2.5 billion investment in Corning to produce cover glass for iPhone and Apple Watch in the United States. This investment will triple the production capacity of Corning’s factory in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, while expanding the size of its workforce by 50% to ensure that it meets future production needs.
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