G. Clinton Shay was presented with the 44th Phoenix Award at a celebration ceremony on Friday night.

Mr Shay was presented with the award for his work as co-inventor of the fusion flat glass making process at a black-tie gala dinner in Roanoke, Virginia, USA.

Mr Shay was presented with the award by Phoenix Award Chairman Wally Evans in front of 109 of Mr Shay’s family, friends, Corning executives and glass industry suppliers.

Mr Shay, 92, said he felt humbled to receive the award and expressed endless gratitude to the Phoenix committee, his friends and family, and particularly his wife Kathryn.

He said: “The award belongs to my friends and my Corning colleagues from over the years, many of whom are here tonight but there are two who are not: Dr Stuart Dockerty and Amory Houghton. The synergy of these two men helped make the fusion process happen.”

The fusion process is used to make Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens which are used in televisions, mobile phones and tablets all around the world.

The fusion process stemmed from a research programme that started at Corning in 1958. It found success in the 1960s for use in car windshields and then in the 1970s for sunglasses.

But it wasn’t until the rise of the LCD television from 2002 onwards that the process came into its own. Even after retirement Mr Shay continued to consult young engineers working with the fusion process. His contributions helped sustain Corning’s role in delivering speciality glass innovations.

Mr Dockery and Mr Houghton played a vital role in the early years of the fusion process but died before its success with LCD.

Mr Shay said: “56 years after the call for a revolutionary glassmaking process I am humbled to be seen as its champion. But its success came from the perseverance, dedication and creativity of thousands.”

Mr Evans said: “The evolution variations of LCD technology was made possible by the contributions by Clint. The extension of fusion technology impacts every day life. Almost everything we do today, from watching television, making cell phone calls and touching tablets is a result of fusion technology.”

The Phoenix Award is given by suppliers to a glass industry individual who they consider to have made an outstanding contribution to the industry.