Corning CEO Wendell Weeks recalls Steve Jobs' 'threat' that convinced his company to manufacture iPhone screens

Corning CEO Wendell Weeks recently recalled a threat from Steve Jobs that convinced his company to manufacture the glass screen for the original iPhone in 2007. In an interview with Fortune, Weeks described the encounter that led to Corning's involvement, which continues with the current Ceramic Shield 2 screen on the iPhone 17.

The discussion started when Weeks tried to pitch Apple founder Jobs on a projector technology for a smartphone, which Jobs dismissed, saying it was the "dumbest idea [I've] ever effing heard." However, Wells noted that Jobs took notice of Corning's capabilities. Later, when he decided that the original iPhone required a glass screen instead of plastic, he approached Weeks. Weeks said that Corning was initially reluctant, and he was advised to tell Jobs to take Apple's business elsewhere.

It was at this point that Jobs intervened with a forceful demand that convinced the company to proceed.

What Steve Jobs said to convince Corning to make iPhone screens

“Do you know what your problem is? You're afraid. You know, you're afraid I'm going to launch the biggest product in history, and I'm not going to be able to do it because you failed, and I'm going to eviscerate you,” Jobs said to Weeks, the Corning CEO noted in the interview.Jobs went on to say that Weeks was “keeping [his] people from greatness,” mainly because he feared dealing with Jobs’ reaction if the project failed.

Eventually, Jobs persuaded Weeks to accept the contract and produce screens for the iPhone, even with the risk of upsetting Jobs if things didn’t go as planned.Things eventually worked out, and the iPhone had a major impact on the tech industry. Corning continues to benefit, with Apple recently announcing a $2.5 billion investment to manufacture iPhone and Apple Watch cover glass in the US.This investment will allow Corning to triple its production capacity at its Harrodsburg, Kentucky, facility and increase its workforce by 50% to meet demand.The iPhone 17’s Ceramic Shield 2 now features an Apple-designed coating that improves scratch resistance, but it still builds on the technology Corning developed for the original iPhone.