The First Use of Gorilla Glass: From Dormant Invention to Smartphone Revolution

Who would have thought that a thin transparent material could become one of the most important factors in the evolution of smartphones? That’s Gorilla Glass—a chemically strengthened glass developed by Corning Inc., now a global standard for smartphone displays. But many still ask: when was Gorilla Glass actually used for the first time?

The answer is fascinating, full of twists, and involves big names such as Steve Jobs and the legendary company Apple. Let’s explore the story together.

What Is Gorilla Glass?

Gorilla Glass is a chemically strengthened aluminosilicate glass developed by Corning Incorporated, a materials science company based in New York, USA. It is known for being:

• Lightweight and thin.
• Scratch and impact resistant.
• Highly transparent with excellent clarity.

According to the Corning Official Site, Gorilla Glass is made through an ion-exchange process in which smaller sodium ions are replaced with larger potassium ions, creating compressive stress on the glass surface and making it significantly stronger than regular glass.

The Early History of Gorilla Glass

Project Muscle (1960s)

In the 1960s, Corning developed a research initiative called Project Muscle, which resulted in a strong glass known as Chemcor. At the time, however, there was no major consumer application for the material. Chemcor was only used in niche industries like automotive windshields and protective eyewear experiments.

According to Smithsonian Magazine, Chemcor was considered a “commercial failure” despite its groundbreaking durability.

When Was Gorilla Glass First Used?

The Defining Moment: Apple iPhone (2007)

The short answer: Gorilla Glass was first used in the original iPhone, launched in 2007.

The story began in 2006 when Steve Jobs contacted Corning. Jobs was dissatisfied with the prototype iPhone’s plastic screen, which scratched too easily. He demanded a solution: a glass that was thin yet durable enough for everyday use.

Corning revisited its dormant Chemcor technology and repurposed it as Gorilla Glass.

According to The New York Times, Steve Jobs gave Corning only a few months before the iPhone’s launch. In record time, Corning’s factory in Kentucky ramped up production, and Gorilla Glass became the protective layer for millions of iPhones worldwide.

The Evolution of Gorilla Glass

After the iPhone’s success, Gorilla Glass went on to dominate the mobile industry. Here’s a breakdown of its generational timeline:

Generation	Year Released	Key Innovation
Gorilla Glass 1	2007	First used in iPhone, focused on scratch resistance.
Gorilla Glass 2	2012	20% thinner with the same strength.
Gorilla Glass 3	2013	Native Damage Resistance (NDR) technology.
Gorilla Glass 4	2014	Enhanced drop protection.
Gorilla Glass 5	2016	Survives drops up to 1.6 meters.
Gorilla Glass 6	2018	Withstands repeated drops from 1 meter.
Gorilla Glass Victus	2020	Stronger scratch resistance, drop protection up to 2 meters.
Gorilla Glass Victus 2	2022	Improved durability on rough surfaces like concrete.

According to Corning Newsroom, by 2023 Gorilla Glass had been installed in over 8 billion devices across 45 major brands, including Samsung, Apple, Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus.

Why Was the iPhone the First?

• Apple’s Demands: Steve Jobs insisted on premium display materials.
• Keyboard-less Design: A full-touchscreen phone required exceptional protection.
• Brand Influence: Apple’s scale made mass manufacturing possible.

According to Harvard Business Review, the Apple-Corning collaboration remains a textbook case of synergy between material innovation and product design.

The Impact of Gorilla Glass on Smartphones

• Enabled all-screen designs. Without Gorilla Glass, the modern touchscreen revolution might have been delayed.
• Set industry standards. Most premium devices now use Gorilla Glass or alternatives like Asahi Glass’s Dragontrail.
• Changed lifestyles. Users no longer worry about their phone screens being scratched by keys or coins.

Criticism and Alternatives

Despite its success, Gorilla Glass isn’t perfect:

• Still prone to shattering if dropped at certain angles.
• More expensive than ordinary glass.
• Competitors like Sapphire Glass (used in Apple Watch) and Dragontrail Glass (Asahi Glass, Japan) are emerging.

According to TechRadar, although sapphire glass is stronger, Gorilla Glass remains the preferred choice due to its lower cost, lighter weight, and easier scalability for mass production.

FAQ: The First Use of Gorilla Glass

1. What was the first device to use Gorilla Glass?

The original iPhone (2007) was the first commercial device with Gorilla Glass.

2. Who invented Gorilla Glass?

It was developed by Corning Incorporated, based on their earlier Chemcor research from the 1960s.

3. Was Gorilla Glass exclusive to Apple?

No. After its success in the iPhone, it quickly spread to other brands such as Samsung, LG, Xiaomi, and more.

4. What makes Gorilla Glass different from regular glass?

It’s thinner, stronger, scratch-resistant, and more lightweight.

5. Can Gorilla Glass still break?

Yes, despite its durability, Gorilla Glass can still crack or shatter under extreme impact.

6. What are the main alternatives to Gorilla Glass?

Dragontrail Glass (Asahi), Sapphire Glass, and Schott Xensation.

7. How many generations of Gorilla Glass exist today?

As of 2023, the latest version is Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Conclusion: From iPhone to the World

So, the first use of Gorilla Glass was in the original iPhone in 2007, after Steve Jobs personally asked Corning to create a scratch-resistant display solution. Since then, Gorilla Glass has evolved into a global standard for smartphones, tablets, laptops, and wearables.