Corning (GLW) 10-Q 1 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 15, 2015
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CORNING INC /NY
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,258,553,209
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	24741
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Net sales	$2,265		$2,289
Cost of sales	1,336		1,354
Gross margin	929		935
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative expenses	316		397
Research, development and engineering expenses	189		198
Amortization of purchased intangibles	12		8
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			17
Operating income	412		315
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	94		86
Interest income	5		12
Interest expense	-30		-30
Transaction-related gain, net			74
Foreign currency transaction and hedge gain (loss), net	33		-6
Other (expense) income, net (Note 1)	-21		30
Income before income taxes	493		481
Provision for income taxes (Note 4)	-86		-180
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$407		$301
Earnings per common share attributable to Corning Incorporated:
Basic (Note 5) (in Dollars per share)	$0.30		$0.21
Diluted (Note 5) (in Dollars per share)	$0.29		$0.20
Dividends declared per common share (1) (in Dollars per share)	$0	[1]	$0.10	[1]
[1]	The first quarter 2015 dividend was declared on December 3, 2014.

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$407	$301
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments and other	-256	-132
Net unrealized gains on investments	1	13
Unamortized gains (losses) and prior service credits (costs) for postretirement benefit plans	1	9
Net unrealized gains (losses) on designated hedges	5	-4
	-249	-114
Comprehensive income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$158	$187

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,304	$5,309
Short-term investments, at fair value (Note 6)	763	759
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments	5,067	6,068
Trade accounts receivable, net of doubtful accounts and allowances - $46 and $47	1,487	1,501
Inventories, net of inventory reserves - $100 and $127 (Note 7)	1,331	1,322
Deferred income taxes (Note 4)	262	248
Other current assets	1,091	1,099
Total current assets	9,238	10,238
Investments (Note 8)	1,764	1,801
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation - $8,591 and $8,332 (Note 10)	12,708	12,766
Goodwill, net (Note 11)	1,343	1,150
Other intangible assets, net (Note 11)	702	497
Deferred income taxes (Note 4)	1,883	1,889
Other assets	1,685	1,722
Total Assets	29,323	30,063
Liabilities and Equity
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 3)	106	36
Accounts payable	872	997
Other accrued liabilities (Note 2)	917	1,291
Total current liabilities	1,895	2,324
Long-term debt (Note 3)	3,165	3,227
Postretirement benefits other than pensions (Note 12)	810	814
Other liabilities (Note 2)	2,081	2,046
Total liabilities	7,951	8,411
Commitments and contingencies (Note 2)
Shareholders’ equity (Note 15):
Convertible preferred stock, Series A – Par value $100 per share; Shares authorized 3,100; Shares issued: 2,300	2,300	2,300
Common stock – Par value $0.50 per share; Shares authorized 3.8 billion; Shares issued: 1,679 million and 1,672 million	840	836
Additional paid-in capital – common stock	13,552	13,456
Retained earnings	13,405	13,021
Treasury stock, at cost; Shares held: 420 million and 398 million	-7,243	-6,727
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-1,556	-1,307
Total Corning Incorporated shareholders’ equity	21,298	21,579
Noncontrolling interests	74	73
Total equity	21,372	21,652
Total Liabilities and Equity	$29,323	$30,063

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Un1

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Doubtful accounts and allowances (in Dollars)	$46	$47
Inventory reserves (in Dollars)	100	127
Accumulated depreciation (in Dollars)	$8,591	$8,332
Convertible preferred stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$100	$100
Convertible preferred stock, shares authorized	3,100	3,100
Convertible preferred stock, shares issued	2,300	2,300
Common stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.50	$0.50
Common stock, shares authorized	3,800,000,000	3,800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	1,679,000,000	1,672,000,000
Treasury stock, at cost, shares held	420,000,000	398,000,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$407	$301
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	279	289
Amortization of purchased intangibles	12	8
Restructuring, impairment and other charges		17
Stock compensation charges	10	15
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	-94	-86
Dividends received from affiliated companies	48	1,610
Deferred tax (benefit) expense provision	-5	22
Restructuring payments	-13	-11
Employee benefit payments in excess of expense	-6	-17
Gains on translated earnings contracts	-29	-2
Unrealized translation losses (gains) on transactions	298	-16
Changes in certain working capital items:
Trade accounts receivable	35	21
Inventories	-1	-3
Other current assets	-13	28
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	-314	-413
Other, net	-13	-26
Net cash provided by operating activities	601	1,737
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	-333	-246
Acquisitions of business, net of cash (paid) received	-531	66
Investment in unconsolidated entities		-109
Proceeds from loan repayments from unconsolidated entities	4	5
Short-term investments – acquisitions	-284	-445
Short-term investments – liquidations	282	338
Realized gains on translated earnings contracts	149	89
Other, net		1
Net cash used in investing activities	-713	-301
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net repayments of short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt		-8
Proceeds from issuance of commercial paper		418
Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock (1)		400	[1]
Payments from settlement of interest rate swap arrangements	-9
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	89	50
Repurchases of common stock for treasury	-477	-1,901
Dividends paid	-177	-136
Net cash used in financing activities	-574	-1,177
Effect of exchange rates on cash	-319	5
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	-1,005	264
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,309	4,704
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$4,304	$4,968
[1]	In the first quarter of 2014, Corning issued 1,900 shares of Preferred Stock to Samsung Display Co., Ltd. in connection with the acquisition of their equity interests in Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. ("Samsung Corning Precision Materials"). Corning also issued to Samsung Display an additional 400 shares of Preferred Stock at closing, for an issue price of $400 million in cash.

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa

Supplemental Cash Flow Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures [Text Block]	(1)	In the first quarter of 2014, Corning issued 1,900 shares of Preferred Stock to Samsung Display Co., Ltd. in connection with the acquisition of their equity interests in Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. (“Samsung Corning Precision Materials”).  Corning also issued to Samsung Display an additional 400 shares of Preferred Stock at closing, for an issue price of $400 million in cash.

Note_1_Significant_Accounting_

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	1.      Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	In these notes, the terms “Corning,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Corning Incorporated and subsidiary companies.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed.  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Corning’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”).
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.  These reclassifications had no impact on our results of operations, financial position, or changes in shareholders’ equity.
	Other (Expense) Income, Net
	“Other (expense) income, net” in Corning’s consolidated statements of income includes the following (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	-2	$	3
	Other, net		-19		27
	Total	$	-21	$	30
	New Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606.  The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized.  The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and shall be applied retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.  Early adoption is not permitted.  On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a one-year deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09. If finalized, we could elect to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-09 for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Under this proposal, early adoption for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, would also be permissible. We are currently assessing the potential impact of adopting this ASU on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Note_2_Commitments_Contingenci

Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	2.      Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees
	Dow Corning Corporation. Corning and The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) each own 50% of the common stock of Dow Corning Corporation (“Dow Corning”).
	Dow Corning Breast Implant Litigation
	In May 1995, Dow Corning filed for bankruptcy protection to address pending and claimed liabilities arising from many thousands of breast implant product lawsuits.  On June 1, 2004, Dow Corning emerged from Chapter 11 with a Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) which provided for the settlement or other resolution of implant claims.  The Plan also includes releases for Corning and Dow as shareholders in exchange for contributions to the Plan.
	Under the terms of the Plan, Dow Corning has established and is funding a Settlement Trust and a Litigation Facility to provide a means for tort claimants to settle or litigate their claims.  Inclusive of insurance, Dow Corning has paid approximately $1.8 billion to the Settlement Trust.  At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Dow Corning had recorded a reserve for breast implant litigation of $363 million and $364 million, respectively.
	Other Dow Corning Claims Arising From Bankruptcy Proceedings
	As a separate matter arising from the bankruptcy proceedings, Dow Corning is defending claims asserted by a number of commercial creditors who claim additional interest at default rates and enforcement costs, during the period from May 1995 through June 2004.  As of March 31, 2015, Dow Corning has estimated the liability to commercial creditors to be within the range of $100 million to $328 million.  As Dow Corning management believes no single amount within the range appears to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range, Dow Corning has recorded the minimum liability within the range.  Should Dow Corning not prevail in this matter, Corning’s equity earnings would be reduced by its 50% share of the amount in excess of $100 million, net of applicable tax benefits.  There are a number of other claims in the bankruptcy proceedings against Dow Corning awaiting resolution by the U.S. District Court, and it is reasonably possible that Dow Corning may record bankruptcy-related charges in the future.  The remaining tort claims against Dow Corning are expected to be channeled by the Plan into facilities established by the Plan or otherwise defended by the Litigation Facility.
	Pittsburgh Corning Corporation and Asbestos Litigation.  Corning and PPG Industries, Inc. (“PPG”) each own 50% of the capital stock of Pittsburgh Corning Corporation (“PCC”).  Over a period of more than two decades, PCC and several other defendants were named in numerous lawsuits involving claims alleging personal injury from exposure to asbestos.  On April 16, 2000, PCC filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.  At the time PCC filed for bankruptcy protection, there were approximately 11,800 claims pending against Corning in state court lawsuits alleging various theories of liability based on exposure to PCC’s asbestos products and typically requesting monetary damages in excess of one million dollars per claim.  Corning has defended those claims on the basis of the separate corporate status of PCC and the absence of any facts supporting claims of direct liability arising from PCC’s asbestos products.
	PCC Plan of Reorganization
	Corning, with other relevant parties, has been involved in ongoing efforts to develop a Plan of Reorganization that would resolve the concerns and objections of the relevant courts and parties.  On November 12, 2013, the Bankruptcy Court issued a decision finally confirming an Amended PCC Plan of Reorganization (the “Amended PCC Plan” or the “Plan”).  On September 30, 2014, the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the “District Court”) affirmed the Bankruptcy Court’s decision confirming the Amended PCC Plan.  On October 30, 2014, one of the objectors to the Plan appealed the District Court’s affirmation of the Plan to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (the “Third Circuit Court of Appeals”).  It will likely take many months for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to render its decision.
	Under the Plan as affirmed by the Bankruptcy Court and affirmed by the District Court, Corning is required to contribute its equity interests in PCC and Pittsburgh Corning Europe N.V. (“PCE”), a Belgian corporation, and to contribute $290 million in a fixed series of payments, recorded at present value.  Corning has the option to use its shares rather than cash to make these payments, but the liability is fixed by dollar value and not the number of shares.  The Plan requires Corning to make: (1) one payment of $70 million one year from the date the Plan becomes effective and certain conditions are met; and (2) five additional payments of $35 million, $50 million, $35 million, $50 million, and $50 million, respectively, on each of the five subsequent anniversaries of the first payment, the final payment of which is subject to reduction based on the application of credits under certain circumstances.
	Non-PCC Asbestos Litigation
	In addition to the claims against Corning related to its ownership interest in PCC, Corning is also the defendant in approximately 9,700 other cases (approximately 37,300 claims) alleging injuries from asbestos related to its Corhart business and similar amounts of monetary damages per case.  When PCC filed for bankruptcy protection, the Court granted a preliminary injunction to suspend all asbestos cases against PCC, PPG and Corning – including these non-PCC asbestos cases (the “stay”).  The stay remains in place as of the date of this filing.  Under the Bankruptcy Court’s order confirming the Amended PCC Plan, the stay will remain in place until the Amended PCC Plan is finally affirmed by the District Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  These non-PCC asbestos cases have been covered by insurance without material impact to Corning to date.  As of March 31, 2015, Corning had received for these cases approximately $19 million in insurance payments related to those claims.  If and when the Bankruptcy Court’s confirmation of the Amended PCC Plan is finally affirmed, these non-PCC asbestos claims would be allowed to proceed against Corning.  In prior periods, Corning recorded in its estimated asbestos litigation liability an additional $150 million for these and any future non-PCC asbestos cases.
	Total Estimated Liability for the Amended PCC Plan and the Non-PCC Asbestos Claims
	The liability for the Amended PCC Plan and the non-PCC asbestos claims was estimated to be $682 million at March 31, 2015, compared with an estimate of liability of $681 million at December 31, 2014.  The $682 million liability is comprised of $242 million of the fair value of PCE, $290 million for the fixed series of payments, and $150 million for the non-PCC asbestos litigation, all referenced in the preceding paragraphs.  With respect to the PCE liability, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of $242 million and $241 million of our interest in PCE significantly exceeded its carrying value of $145 million and $162 million, respectively.  There have been no impairment indicators for our investment in PCE and we continue to recognize equity earnings of this affiliate.  At the time Corning recorded this liability, it determined it lacked the ability to recover the carrying amount of its investment in PCC and its investment was other than temporarily impaired.  As a result, we reduced our investment in PCC to zero.  As the fair value in PCE is significantly higher than book value, management believes that the risk of an additional loss in an amount materially higher than the fair value of the liability is remote.  With respect to the liability for other asbestos litigation, the liability for non-PCC claims was estimated based upon industry data for asbestos claims since Corning does not have recent claim history due to the injunction issued by the Bankruptcy Court.  The estimated liability represents the undiscounted projection of claims and related legal fees over the next 20 years.  The amount may need to be adjusted in future periods as more data becomes available; however, we cannot estimate any additional losses at this time.  For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, Corning recorded asbestos litigation expense of $1 million and $2 million, respectively.  The entire obligation is classified as a non-current liability, as installment payments for the cash portion of the obligation are not planned to commence until more than 12 months after the Amended PCC Plan becomes effective and the PCE portion of the obligation will be fulfilled through the direct contribution of Corning’s investment in PCE (currently recorded as a non-current other equity method investment).
	Non-PCC Asbestos Cases Insurance Litigation
	Several of Corning’s insurers have commenced litigation in state courts for a declaration of the rights and obligations of the parties under insurance policies affecting the non-PCC asbestos cases, including rights that may be affected by the potential resolutions described above.  Corning is vigorously contesting these cases, and management is unable to predict the outcome of the litigation.
	Other Commitments and Contingencies
	We are required, at the time a guarantee is issued, to recognize a liability for the fair value or market value of the obligation it assumes.  In the normal course of our business, we do not routinely provide significant third-party guarantees.  Generally, any third party guarantees provided by Corning are limited to certain financial guarantees including stand-by letters of credit and performance bonds, and the incurrence of contingent liabilities in the form of purchase price adjustments related to attainment of milestones.  When provided, these guarantees have various terms, and none of these guarantees are individually significant.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, contingent guarantees totaled a notional value of $178 million and $150 million, respectively.  We believe a significant majority of these contingent guarantees will expire without being funded.  We also were contingently liable for purchase obligations of $300 million and $287 million, at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Product warranty liability accruals were considered insignificant at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Corning is a defendant in various lawsuits, including environmental, product-related suits, the Dow Corning and PCC matters, and is subject to various claims that arise in the normal course of business.  In the opinion of management, the likelihood that the ultimate disposition of these matters will have a material adverse effect on Corning’s consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations, is remote.  Other than certain asbestos related claims, there are no other material loss contingencies related to litigation.
	Corning has been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (“the Agency”) under the Superfund Act, or by state governments under similar state laws, as a potentially responsible party for 15 active hazardous waste sites.  Under the Superfund Act, all parties who may have contributed any waste to a hazardous waste site, identified by the Agency, are jointly and severally liable for the cost of cleanup unless the Agency agrees otherwise.  It is Corning’s policy to accrue for its estimated liability related to Superfund sites and other environmental liabilities related to property owned by Corning based on expert analysis and continual monitoring by both internal and external consultants.  At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Corning had accrued approximately $41 million (undiscounted) and $43 million (undiscounted), respectively, for the estimated liability for environmental cleanup and related litigation.  Based upon the information developed to date, management believes that the accrued reserve is a reasonable estimate of the Company’s liability and that the risk of an additional loss in an amount materially higher than that accrued is remote.
	The ability of certain subsidiaries and affiliated companies to transfer funds is limited by provisions of foreign government regulations, affiliate agreements and certain loan agreements.  At March 31, 2015, the amount of equity subject to such restrictions for consolidated subsidiaries and affiliated companies was not significant.  While this amount is legally restricted, it does not result in operational difficulties since we have generally permitted subsidiaries to retain a majority of equity to support their growth programs.

Note_3_Debt

Note 3 - Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	3.      Debt
	Based on borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of long-term debt was $3.6 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, compared to recorded book values of $3.2 billion at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  The Company measures the fair value of its long-term debt using Level 2 inputs based primarily on current market yields for its existing debt traded in the secondary market.

Note_4_Income_Taxes

Note 4 - Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	4.      Income Taxes
	Our provision for income taxes and the related effective income tax rates were as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Provision for income taxes	$	-86	$	-180
	Effective tax rate		17.40%		37.40%
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the following benefits:
	·	Rate differences on income (loss) of consolidated foreign companies, including the benefit of excess foreign tax credits resulting from a taxable intercompany loan made to the U.S. and the repatriation of a small portion of high-tax foreign current year earnings; and
	·	The impact of equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates reported in the financials net of tax.
	These benefits were partially offset by a discrete tax charge of $11 million to restate deferred tax assets due to a law change enacted in Japan.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the following benefits:
	·	Rate differences on income (loss) of consolidated foreign companies, including the benefit of excess foreign tax credits attributable to a taxable intercompany loan made to the U.S.;
	·	The impact of equity in earnings of nonconsolidated affiliates reported in the financials net of tax; and
	·	Tax incentives in foreign jurisdictions, primarily Taiwan.
	These benefits were more than offset principally by a discrete tax charge in the first quarter of 2014 in the amount of $102 million related to South Korean withholding tax on a dividend paid by Samsung Corning Precision Materials to Corning wholly owned foreign subsidiaries.
	Corning’s subsidiary in Taiwan is operating under tax holiday arrangements.  The benefit of the arrangement phases out through 2018.  The impact of the tax holiday on our effective tax rate is a reduction in the rate of 0.3 and 1.2 percentage points for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Corning continues to indefinitely reinvest substantially all of its foreign earnings, with the exception of approximately $6 million of current earnings in 2015 that have a net tax benefit associated with their repatriation.  Our current analysis indicates that we have sufficient U.S. liquidity, including borrowing capacity, to fund foreseeable U.S. cash needs without requiring the repatriation of foreign cash.  One time or unusual items that may impact our ability or intent to keep our foreign earnings and cash indefinitely reinvested include significant U.S. acquisitions, stock repurchases, shareholder dividends, changes in tax laws or the development of tax planning ideas that allow us to repatriate earnings at little or no tax cost or with a tax benefit, and/or a change in our circumstances or economic conditions that negatively impact our ability to borrow or otherwise fund U.S. needs from existing U.S. sources.  While it remains impracticable to calculate the tax cost of repatriating our total unremitted foreign earnings, such cost could be material to the results of operations of Corning in a particular period.
	While we expect the amount of unrecognized tax benefits to change in the next 12 months, we do not expect the change to have a significant impact on the results of operations or our financial position.

Note_5_Earnings_Per_Common_Sha

Note 5 - Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	5.      Earnings per Common Share
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in millions, except per share amounts):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$	407	$	301
	Less:  Series A convertible preferred stock dividend		-24		-21
	Net income available to common stockholders - basic		383		280
	Plus:  Series A convertible preferred stock dividend		24
	Net income available to common stockholders - diluted	$	407	$	280
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic		1,266		1,359
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and other dilutive securities		13		11
	Series A convertible preferred stock dividend		115
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted		1,394		1,370
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.30	$	0.21
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.29	$	0.20
	Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
	Series A convertible preferred stock				97
	Employee stock options and awards		14		29
	Accelerated share repurchase forward contract				12
	Total		14		138

Note_6_AvailableforSale_Invest

Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Available For Sale Investments [Abstract]
Available For Sale Investments [Text Block]	6.      Available-for-Sale Investments
	The following is a summary of the fair value of available-for-sale investments (in millions):
		Amortized cost						Fair value
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Bonds, notes and other securities:
	U.S. government and agencies	$	761		$	759		$	763		$	759
	Total short-term investments	$	761		$	759		$	763		$	759
	Asset-backed securities	$	41		$	42		$	37		$	38
	Total long-term investments	$	41		$	42		$	37		$	38
	We do not intend to sell, nor do we believe it is more likely than not that we would be required to sell, the long-term investment asset-backed securities (which are collateralized by mortgages) before recovery of their amortized cost basis.  It is possible that a significant degradation in the delinquency or foreclosure rates in the underlying assets could cause further temporary or other-than-temporary impairments in the future.
	The following table summarizes the contractual maturities of available-for-sale securities at March 31, 2015 (in millions):
	Less than one year	$535
	Due in 1-5 years	228
	Due in 5-10 years
	Due after 10 years (1)	37
	Total	$800
	-1	Includes $37 million of asset-based securities that mature over time and are being reported at their final maturity dates.
	Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are computed on a specific identification basis and are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income in shareholders’ equity until realized.
	The following tables provide the fair value and gross unrealized losses of the Company’s investments aggregated by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (dollars in millions):
				March 31, 2015
				12 months or greater						Total
		Number of		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		securities		value			losses (1)			value			losses
		in a loss
		position
	Asset-backed securities	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4
	Total long-term investments	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4
	-1	Unrealized losses in securities less than 12 months were not significant.
				31-Dec-14
				12 months or greater						Total
		Number of		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		securities		value			losses (1)			value			losses
		in a loss
		position
	Asset-backed securities	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4
	Total long-term investments	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4
	-1	Unrealized losses in securities less than 12 months were not significant.
	As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, for securities that have credit losses, an other than temporary impairment loss of $4 million in both periods is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, proceeds from sales and maturities of short-term investments totaled approximately $300 million in both periods.

Note_7_Inventories_Net_of_Inve

Note 7 - Inventories, Net of Inventory Reserves	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventory Disclosure [Text Block]	7.      Inventories, net of inventory reserves
	Inventories, net of inventory reserves comprise the following (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Finished goods	$	527	$	486
	Work in process		257		255
	Raw materials and accessories		268		302
	Supplies and packing materials		279		279
	Total inventories, net of inventory reserves	$	1,331	$	1,322

Note_8_Investments

Note 8 - Investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures Disclosure [Text Block]	8.      Investments
	Dow Corning Corporation (“Dow Corning”)
	Dow Corning is a U.S.-based manufacturer of silicone products.  Dow Corning’s results of operations follow (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Statement of Operations:
	Net sales	$	1,364	$	1,524
	Gross profit (1)	$	358	$	483
	Net income attributable to Dow Corning	$	185	$	191
	Corning’s equity in earnings of Dow Corning	$	92	$	92
	-1	Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 includes research and development costs of $62 million (2014: $67 million).
	Dow Corning’s net income in the first quarters of 2015 and 2014 includes pre-tax gains on settlements of long-term sales agreements in the amounts of $178 million and $32 million, respectively, and a pre-tax loss of $27 million and a pre-tax gain of $99 million, respectively, on a derivative instrument.

Note_9_Acquisitions

Note 9 - Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	9.      Acquisitions
	Corning completed four acquisitions during the first quarter of 2015.  A summary of the preliminary allocation of the total purchase consideration for the four acquisitions is as follows (in millions):
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2
	Trade receivables		49
	Inventory		28
	Property, plant and equipment		37
	Other intangible assets		233
	Other current and non-current assets		32
	Current and non-current liabilities		-54
	Total identified net assets		327
	Purchase consideration		-547
	Goodwill (1)	$	220
	-1	The goodwill was allocated to the Optical Communications segment.
	The total consideration related to the acquisitions in the first quarter of 2015 primarily consisted of cash and, in two of the acquisitions, contingent consideration.  The contingent consideration arrangements may require additional amounts to be paid in 2016 and 2017 based on projections of future revenues.  The combined potential additional consideration is capped at $28 million.  The total fair value of the contingent consideration for the two acquisitions was fair valued at $13 million as of the acquisition date of each acquisition.
	The goodwill generated from these acquisitions is primarily related to the value of the product portfolio and customer/distribution networks acquired, combined with Corning’s existing business segments, as well as market participant synergies and other intangibles that do not qualify for separate recognition.  The goodwill is partially deductible for income tax purposes.
	For the acquisitions completed during the three months ended March 31, 2015, amortized intangible assets have a weighted-average useful life of approximately 10 years.
	Acquisition-related costs of $9 million included in selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 included costs for legal, accounting, valuation and other professional services.  The Consolidated Financial Statements include the operating results of each business combination from the date of acquisition.  Pro forma results of operations for the acquisitions completed during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 have not been presented because the effects of the acquisitions, individually and in the aggregate, were not material to Corning’s financial results.

Note_10_Property_Plant_and_Equ

Note 10 - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	10.      Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation
	Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation follows (in millions):
		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Land	$	452	$	458
	Buildings		5,472		5,470
	Equipment		13,956		13,848
	Construction in progress		1,419		1,322
			21,299		21,098
	Accumulated depreciation		-8,591		-8,332
	Total	$	12,708	$	12,766
	In the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, interest costs capitalized as part of Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, were $10 million in both periods.
	Manufacturing equipment includes certain components of production equipment that are constructed of precious metals.  At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the recorded value of precious metals totaled $3.1 billion in both periods.  Depletion expense for precious metals in the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 totaled $7 million and $8 million, respectively.

Note_11_Goodwill_and_Other_Int

Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	11.      Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	The carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows (in millions):
		Optical		Display		Specialty		Life		Total
		Communications		Technologies		Materials		Sciences
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	238	$	134	$	198	$	580	$	1,150
	Acquired goodwill (1)		220								220
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		-2		-1		-5		-19		-27
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	456	$	133	$	193	$	561	$	1,343
	-1	The Company completed several acquisitions in the Optical Communications segment during the first quarter of 2015.  Refer to Note 9 (Acquisitions) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these acquisitions.
	Corning’s gross goodwill balances for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were $7.8 billion and $7.6 billion, respectively.  Accumulated impairment losses were $6.5 billion for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and were generated entirely through goodwill impairments related to the Optical Communications segment recorded primarily in 2001.
	Other intangible assets are as follows (in millions):
		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
				amortization						amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Patents, trademarks, and trade names	$	353	$	152	$	201	$	302	$	149	$	153
	Customer lists and other		575		74		501		411		67		344
	Total	$	928	$	226	$	702	$	713	$	216	$	497
	Corning’s amortized intangible assets are primarily related to the Optical Communications and Life Sciences segments.  The net carrying amount of intangible assets increased during the first three months of 2015, primarily due to acquisitions of $233 million in other intangible assets offset by amortization of $12 million and foreign currency translation adjustments of $16 million.
	Amortization expense related to these intangible assets is estimated to be $57 million for 2015, $55 million annually from 2016 to 2019, and $50 million for 2020.

Note_12_Employee_Retirement_Pl

Note 12 - Employee Retirement Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]	12.      Employee Retirement Plans
	The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for Corning’s defined benefit pension and postretirement health care and life insurance plans (in millions):
		Pension benefits				Postretirement benefits
		Three months ended				Three months ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Service cost	$	23	$	16	$	3	$	3
	Interest cost		36		38		8		9
	Expected return on plan assets		-45		-43
	Amortization of net loss						1
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		2		2		-1		-1
	Total pension and postretirement benefit expense	$	16	$	13	$	11	$	11

Note_13_Hedging_Activities

Note 13 - Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	13.      Hedging Activities
	Undesignated Hedges
	The table below includes a total gross notional value for the translated earnings contracts of $14.7 billion at March 31, 2015 (at December 31, 2014: $12.1 billion), including purchased and zero-cost collars of $5.8 billion (at December 31, 2014: $2.3 billion) and average rate forwards of $8.9 billion (at December 31, 2014: $9.8 billion).  With respect to the purchased and zero-cost collars, the gross notional amount includes the value of both the put and call options.  However, due to the nature of the purchased and zero-cost collars, either the put or the call option can be exercised at maturity.  As of March 31, 2015, the total net notional value of the purchased and zero-cost collars was $3 billion (at December 31, 2014: $1.2 billion).
	The following tables summarize the notional amounts and respective fair values of Corning’s derivative financial instruments on a gross basis for March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in millions):
		U.S. Dollar			Asset derivatives				Liability derivatives
		Gross notional amount			Balance		Fair value		Balance	Fair value
					sheet				sheet
		March	December		location		March	December	location	March	December
		31, 2015	31, 2014				31, 2015	31, 2014		31, 2015	31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign exchange contracts	$     742	$    487		Other current assets		$     34	$     22	Other accrued liabilities	$  (6)	$  (6)
					Other assets		8
	Interest rate contracts	1,300	1,300		Other assets			1	Other liabilities	-10	-15
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign exchange contracts	564	1,285		Other current assets		14	17	Other accrued liabilities	-5	-5
	Translated earnings contracts	14,664	12,126		Other current assets		618	649	Other accrued liabilities	-32	-33
					Other assets		811	846	Other liabilities	-55
	Total derivatives	$17,270	$15,198				$1,485	$1,535		($108)	($59)
	The following tables summarize the effect of derivative financial instruments on Corning’s consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
		Effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements
		for the quarter ended March 31
	Derivatives in hedging relationships	Gain/(loss)			Location of gain/(loss)		Gain reclassified from
		recognized in other			reclassified from		accumulated OCI into
		comprehensive income			accumulated OCI into		income (effective) (1)
		(OCI)			income (effective)
		2015	2014				2015	2014
	Interest rate hedges	($13)			Sales		$5
					Cost of sales		2
	Foreign exchange contracts	27	($7)
	Total cash flow hedges	$ 14	($7)				$7
	-1	The amount of hedge ineffectiveness at March 31, 2015 and 2014 was insignificant.
			Gain (loss) recognized in income
			Three months ended March 31,
	Undesignated derivatives	Location	2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts – balance sheet	Foreign currency transaction and hedge gain (loss), net	$	11		$	-12
	Foreign exchange contracts – loans	Foreign currency transaction and hedge gain (loss), net		2			4
	Translated earnings contracts	Foreign currency transaction and hedge gain (loss), net		29			2
	Total undesignated		$	42		$	-6

Note_14_Fair_Value_Measurement

Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]	14.      Fair Value Measurements
	Fair value standards under U.S. GAAP define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value in applying generally accepted accounting principles, and require disclosures about fair value measurements.  The standards also identify two kinds of inputs that are used to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities: observable and unobservable.  Observable inputs are based on market data or independent sources while unobservable inputs are based on the Company’s own market assumptions.  Once inputs have been characterized, the inputs are prioritized into one of three broad levels (provided in the table below) used to measure fair value.  Fair value standards apply whenever an entity is measuring fair value under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement and require the use of observable market data when available.
	The following tables provide fair value measurement information for the Company’s major categories of financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis (in millions):
				Fair value measurements at reporting date using
		March 31,		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		2015		active markets for		observable		unobservable
				identical assets		inputs		inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current assets:
	Short-term investments	$	763	$	763
	Other current assets (1)	$	666			$	666
	Non-current assets:
	Other assets (1)(2)	$	1,301			$	856	$	445
	Current liabilities:
	Other accrued liabilities (1)(3)	$	45			$	42	$	3
	Non-current liabilities:
	Other liabilities (1)(3)	$	75			$	65	$	10
	-1	Derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward and purchased collar contracts, and interest rate swaps which are measured using observable quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities.
	-2	Other assets include asset-backed securities which are measured using observable quoted prices for similar assets and contingent consideration assets which are measured by applying an option pricing model using projected future revenue.
	-3	Other accrued liabilities and other liabilities include contingent consideration payables which are measured by applying an option pricing model using projected future revenues.
				Fair value measurements at reporting date using
		December 31,		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		2014		active markets for		observable		unobservable
				identical assets		inputs		inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current assets:
	Short-term investments	$	759	$	759
	Other current assets (1)	$	687			$	687
	Non-current assets:
	Other assets (1)(2)	$	1,330			$	885	$	445
	Current liabilities:
	Other accrued liabilities (1)	$	44			$	44
	Non-current liabilities:
	Other liabilities (1)	$	15			$	15
	-1	Derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward and purchased collar contracts, and interest rate swaps which are measured using observable quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities.
	-2	Other assets include asset-backed securities which are measured using observable quoted prices for similar assets and contingent consideration assets which are measured by applying an option pricing model using projected future revenue.
	As a result of the acquisition of Samsung Corning Precision Materials in January 2014, the Company has contingent consideration that was measured using unobservable (Level 3) inputs.  Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration in future periods are valued using an option pricing model and are recorded in Corning’s results in the period of the change.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of the potential receipt of the contingent consideration in 2018 was $445 million.
	As a result of the acquisitions of iBwave Solutions Inc. and the fiber-optics business of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the Company has contingent consideration that was measured using unobservable (Level 3) inputs.  As of March 31, 2015, the fair value of the contingent consideration payable is $13 million.
	There were no significant financial assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis during the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

Note_15_Shareholders_Equity

Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	15.      Shareholders’ Equity
	Fixed Rate Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A
	On January 15, 2014, Corning designated a new series of its preferred stock as Fixed Rate Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $100 per share, and issued 2,300 shares of Preferred Stock at an issue price of $1 million per share, for an aggregate issue price of $2.3 billion.  The Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder and the Company upon certain events, at a conversion rate of 50,000 shares of Corning’s common stock per one share of Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution provisions.  As of March 31, 2015, the Preferred Stock has not been converted, and none of the anti-dilution provisions have been triggered.
	Share Repurchases
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we repurchased 21.1 million shares of common stock for $502 million as part of a $1.5 billion share repurchase program announced on December 3, 2014.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	In the first three months of 2015 and 2014, the primary changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) were related to the foreign currency translation component.
	A summary of changes in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of AOCI is as follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Beginning balance	$	-581	$	492
	Other comprehensive (loss) income		-174		25
	Equity method affiliates		-82		-157
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income		-256		-132
	Ending balance	$	-837	$	360
	In the first quarter of 2014, a $136 million cumulative foreign currency translation gain was released to income as a result of the step acquisition of Corning Precision Materials and included in the gain on previously held equity investment.
	There were no material tax effects related to foreign currency translation gains and losses.

Note_16_Sharebased_Compensatio

Note 16 - Share-based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	16.      Share-based Compensation
	Stock Compensation Plans
	The Company measures and recognizes compensation cost for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values.  Fair values for stock options were estimated using a multiple-point Black-Scholes valuation model.  Share-based compensation cost was approximately $10 million and $15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Amounts for all periods presented included compensation expense for employee stock options and time-based restricted stock and restricted stock units.
	Stock Options
	Corning’s stock option plans provide non-qualified and incentive stock options to purchase authorized but unissued shares, or treasury shares, at the market price on the grant date and generally become exercisable in installments from one to five years from the grant date.  The maximum term of non-qualified and incentive stock options is 10 years from the grant date.
	The following table summarizes information concerning stock options outstanding including the related transactions under the stock option plans for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Number		Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
		of Shares		Average		Average		Intrinsic
		(in thousands)		Exercise		Remaining		Value
				Price		Contractual		(in thousands)
						Term in
						Years
	Options Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	48,724		$18.94
	Granted	501		22.70
	Exercised	(5,351)		16.66
	Forfeited and Expired	(25)		20.47
	Options Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	43,849		19.26		4.43		$188,767
	Options Expected to Vest as of March 31, 2015	43,782		19.26		4.42		188,505
	Options Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	37,293		19.73		3.72		148,763
	The aggregate intrinsic value (market value of stock less option exercise price) in the preceding table represents the total pretax intrinsic value, based on the Company’s closing stock price on March 31, 2015, which would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their “in-the-money” options as of that date.
	As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $8 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options granted under the plans.  The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.  Compensation cost related to stock options was approximately $4 million and $6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Proceeds received from the exercise of stock options were $89 million and $50 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Proceeds received from the exercise of stock options were included in financing activities on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was approximately $40 million and $32 million, respectively.  The income tax benefit realized from share-based compensation was not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  There was an immaterial amount of income tax benefits realized from share-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2014 due to net credit carryforwards available to the Company.  Refer to Note 4 (Income Taxes) to the consolidated financial statements.
	The following inputs were used for the valuation of option grants under our stock option plans:
		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Expected volatility	44.9	-	44.90%		46.2	-	46.20%
	Weighted-average volatility	44.9	-	44.90%		46.2	-	46.20%
	Expected dividends	1.92	-	1.92%		2.09	-	2.09%
	Risk-free rate	1.9	-	1.90%		2.2	-	2.20%
	Average risk-free rate	1.9	-	1.90%		2.2	-	2.20%
	Expected term (in years)	7.2	-	7.2		7.2	-	7.2
	Pre-vesting departure rate	0.6	-	0.60%		0.5	-	0.50%
	Expected volatility is based on a blended approach defined as the weighted average of the short-term implied volatility, the most recent volatility for the period equal to the expected term, and the most recent 15-year historical volatility.  The expected term assumption is the period of time the options are expected to be outstanding, and is calculated using a combination of historical exercise experience adjusted to reflect the current vesting period of options being valued, and partial life cycles of outstanding options.  The risk-free rate assumption is the implied rate for a zero-coupon U.S. Treasury bond with a term equal to the option’s expected term.  The ranges in the table above reflect results from separate groups of employees exhibiting different exercise behavior.
	Incentive Stock Plans
	The Corning Incentive Stock Plan permits restricted stock and restricted stock unit grants, either determined by specific performance goals or issued directly, in most instances, subject to the possibility of forfeiture and without cash consideration.  Restricted stock and restricted stock units under the Incentive Stock Plan are granted at the closing market price on the grant date, contingently vest over a period of generally one to ten years, and generally have contractual lives of one to ten years.  The fair value of each restricted stock grant or restricted stock unit awarded under the Incentive Stock Plan was estimated on the date of grant.
	Time-Based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units:
	Time-based restricted stock and restricted stock units are issued by the Company on a discretionary basis, and are payable in shares of the Company’s common stock upon vesting.  The fair value is based on the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the grant date.  Compensation cost is recognized over the requisite vesting period and adjusted for actual forfeitures before vesting.
	The following table represents a summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested time-based restricted stock and restricted stock units as of December 31, 2014, and changes which occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Shares		Weighted
		(000’s)		Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Non-vested shares and share units at December 31, 2014	5,737		$	15.43
	Granted	1,138			22.88
	Vested	-1,454			13.48
	Forfeited
	Non-vested shares and share units at March 31, 2015	5,421		$	17.52
	As of March 31, 2015, there was approximately $41 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested time-based restricted stock and restricted stock units compensation arrangements granted under the Plan.  The cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.7 years.  Compensation cost related to time-based restricted stock and restricted stock units was approximately $6 million and $9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Note_17_Significant_Customers

Note 17 - Significant Customers	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Significant Customers [Abstract]
Significant Customers [Text Block]	17.      Significant Customers
	For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and March 31, 2014, Corning had one customer that individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales.

Note_18_Reportable_Segments

Note 18 - Reportable Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	18.      Reportable Segments
	Our reportable segments are as follows:
	·	Display Technologies – manufactures glass substrates for flat panel liquid crystal displays.
	·	Optical Communications – manufactures carrier network and enterprise network components for the telecommunications industry.
	·	Environmental Technologies – manufactures ceramic substrates and filters for automotive and diesel applications.
	·	Specialty Materials – manufactures products that provide more than 150 material formulations for glass, glass ceramics and fluoride crystals to meet demand for unique customer needs.
	·	Life Sciences – manufactures glass and plastic labware, equipment, media and reagents to provide workflow solutions for scientific applications.
	All other reportable segments that do not meet the quantitative threshold for separate reporting have been grouped as “All Other.”  This group is primarily comprised of development projects and results for new product lines.
	We prepared the financial results for our reportable segments on a basis that is consistent with the manner in which we internally disaggregate financial information to assist in making internal operating decisions.  We included the earnings of equity affiliates that are closely associated with our reportable segments in the respective segment’s net income.  We have allocated certain common expenses among reportable segments differently than we would for stand-alone financial information.  Segment net income may not be consistent with measures used by other companies.  The accounting policies of our reportable segments are the same as those applied in the consolidated financial statements.
	Reportable Segments (in millions)
			Display			Optical		Environmental		Specialty		Life		All		Total
			Technologies			Communications		Technologies		Materials		Sciences		Other
	Three months ended
	March 31, 2015
		Net sales	$	808		$	697	$	282	$	272	$	197	$	9	$	2,265
		Depreciation (1)	$	156		$	38	$	29	$	26	$	15	$	9	$	273
		Amortization of purchased intangibles				$	6					$	5			$	11
		Research, development and engineering expenses (2)	$	24		$	33	$	23	$	31	$	5	$	45	$	161
		Restructuring, impairment and other charges				$	-1									$	-1
		Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	$	-2										$	2
		Income tax (provision) benefit	$	-132		$	-29	$	-23	$	-21	$	-8	$	23	$	-190
		Net income (loss) (3)	$	294		$	57	$	48	$	38	$	16	$	-48	$	405
	Three months ended
	March 31, 2014
		Net sales	$	929		$	593	$	275	$	261	$	210	$	21	$	2,289
		Depreciation (1)	$	173		$	36	$	30	$	27	$	15	$	5	$	286
		Amortization of purchased intangibles				$	2					$	6			$	8
		Research, development and engineering expenses (2)	$	45		$	37	$	21	$	33	$	5	$	28	$	169
		Restructuring, impairment and other charges	$	5		$	12									$	17
		Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	$	-9				$	1					$	2	$	-6
		Income tax (provision) benefit	$	-198		$	-19	$	-21	$	-16	$	-8	$	16	$	-246
		Net income (loss) (3)	$	209		$	27	$	43	$	31	$	17	$	-40	$	287
	-1	Depreciation expense for Corning’s reportable segments includes an allocation of depreciation of corporate property not specifically identifiable to a segment.
	-2	Research, development, and engineering expenses include direct project spending that is identifiable to a segment.
	-3	Many of Corning’s administrative and staff functions are performed on a centralized basis.  Where practicable, Corning charges these expenses to segments based upon the extent to which each business uses a centralized function.  Other staff functions, such as corporate finance, human resources and legal, are allocated to segments, primarily as a percentage of sales.
	A reconciliation of reportable segment net income to consolidated net income follows (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net income of reportable segments	$	453		$	327
	Non-reportable segments		-48			-40
	Unallocated amounts:
	Net financing costs (1)		-24			-29
	Stock-based compensation expense		-10			-15
	Exploratory research		-26			-27
	Corporate contributions		-12			-5
	Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments (2)		94			92
	Asbestos settlement		-1			-2
	Purchased collars and average forward contracts		-76			2
	Other corporate items (3)		57			-2
	Net income	$	407		$	301
	-1	Net financing costs include interest income, interest expense, and interest costs and investment gains associated with benefit plans.
	-2	Primarily represents the equity earnings of Dow Corning.
	-3	Other corporate items include the tax impact of the unallocated amounts, excluding purchased collars and average rate forward contracts.
	The sales of each of our reportable segments are concentrated across a relatively small number of customers.  In the first quarter of 2015, the following number of customers, which individually accounted for 10% or more of each segment’s sales, represented the following concentration of segment sales:
	·	In the Display Technologies segment, three customers accounted for 62% of total segment sales.
	·	In the Optical Communications segment, one customer accounted for 10% of total segment sales.
	·	In the Environmental Technologies segment, three customers accounted for 86% of total segment sales.
	·	In the Specialty Materials segment, three customers accounted for 60% of total segment sales.
	·	In the Life Sciences segment, two customers accounted for 45% of total segment sales.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation
	In these notes, the terms “Corning,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Corning Incorporated and subsidiary companies.
	The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed.  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Corning’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (“2014 Form 10-K”).
	The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.  These reclassifications had no impact on our results of operations, financial position, or changes in shareholders’ equity.
Other Income and Other Expense Disclosure [Text Block]	Other (Expense) Income, Net
	“Other (expense) income, net” in Corning’s consolidated statements of income includes the following (in millions):
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	-2	$	3
	Other, net		-19		27
	Total	$	-21	$	30
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	New Accounting Standards
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (ASU) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606.  The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized.  The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, and shall be applied retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.  Early adoption is not permitted.  On April 1, 2015, the FASB voted to propose a one-year deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09. If finalized, we could elect to adopt the provisions of ASU 2014-09 for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Under this proposal, early adoption for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, would also be permissible. We are currently assessing the potential impact of adopting this ASU on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Note_1_Significant_Accounting_1

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule of Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Table Text Block]		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	$	-2	$	3
	Other, net		-19		27
	Total	$	-21	$	30

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Income Tax Provisions and Rates [Table Text Block]		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Provision for income taxes	$	-86	$	-180
	Effective tax rate		17.40%		37.40%

Note_5_Earnings_Per_Common_Sha1

Note 5 - Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated	$	407	$	301
	Less:  Series A convertible preferred stock dividend		-24		-21
	Net income available to common stockholders - basic		383		280
	Plus:  Series A convertible preferred stock dividend		24
	Net income available to common stockholders - diluted	$	407	$	280
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic		1,266		1,359
	Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options and other dilutive securities		13		11
	Series A convertible preferred stock dividend		115
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted		1,394		1,370
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.30	$	0.21
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.29	$	0.20
	Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
	Series A convertible preferred stock				97
	Employee stock options and awards		14		29
	Accelerated share repurchase forward contract				12
	Total		14		138

Note_6_AvailableforSale_Invest1

Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Available For Sale Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		Amortized cost						Fair value
		March 31,			December 31,			March 31,			December 31,
		2015			2014			2015			2014
	Bonds, notes and other securities:
	U.S. government and agencies	$	761		$	759		$	763		$	759
	Total short-term investments	$	761		$	759		$	763		$	759
	Asset-backed securities	$	41		$	42		$	37		$	38
	Total long-term investments	$	41		$	42		$	37		$	38
Investments Classified by Contractual Maturity Date [Table Text Block]	Less than one year	$535
	Due in 1-5 years	228
	Due in 5-10 years
	Due after 10 years (1)	37
	Total	$800
Schedule of Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses of Investments by Category and Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Table Text Block]				March 31, 2015
				12 months or greater						Total
		Number of		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		securities		value			losses (1)			value			losses
		in a loss
		position
	Asset-backed securities	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4
	Total long-term investments	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4
				31-Dec-14
				12 months or greater						Total
		Number of		Fair			Unrealized			Fair			Unrealized
		securities		value			losses (1)			value			losses
		in a loss
		position
	Asset-backed securities	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4
	Total long-term investments	21		$	37		$	-4		$	37		$	-4

Note_7_Inventories_Net_of_Inve1

Note 7 - Inventories, Net of Inventory Reserves (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Finished goods	$	527	$	486
	Work in process		257		255
	Raw materials and accessories		268		302
	Supplies and packing materials		279		279
	Total inventories, net of inventory reserves	$	1,331	$	1,322

Note_8_Investments_Tables

Note 8 - Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Schedule of Affiliate Result of Operations [Table Text Block]		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Statement of Operations:
	Net sales	$	1,364	$	1,524
	Gross profit (1)	$	358	$	483
	Net income attributable to Dow Corning	$	185	$	191
	Corning’s equity in earnings of Dow Corning	$	92	$	92

Note_9_Acquisitions_Tables

Note 9 - Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	Cash and cash equivalents	$	2
	Trade receivables		49
	Inventory		28
	Property, plant and equipment		37
	Other intangible assets		233
	Other current and non-current assets		32
	Current and non-current liabilities		-54
	Total identified net assets		327
	Purchase consideration		-547
	Goodwill (1)	$	220

Note_10_Property_Plant_and_Equ1

Note 10 - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]		March 31,		December 31,
		2015		2014
	Land	$	452	$	458
	Buildings		5,472		5,470
	Equipment		13,956		13,848
	Construction in progress		1,419		1,322
			21,299		21,098
	Accumulated depreciation		-8,591		-8,332
	Total	$	12,708	$	12,766

Note_11_Goodwill_and_Other_Int1

Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]		Optical		Display		Specialty		Life		Total
		Communications		Technologies		Materials		Sciences
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	238	$	134	$	198	$	580	$	1,150
	Acquired goodwill (1)		220								220
	Foreign currency translation adjustment		-2		-1		-5		-19		-27
	Balance at March 31, 2015	$	456	$	133	$	193	$	561	$	1,343
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]		March 31, 2015						December 31, 2014
		Gross		Accumulated		Net		Gross		Accumulated		Net
				amortization						amortization
	Amortized intangible assets:
	Patents, trademarks, and trade names	$	353	$	152	$	201	$	302	$	149	$	153
	Customer lists and other		575		74		501		411		67		344
	Total	$	928	$	226	$	702	$	713	$	216	$	497

Note_12_Employee_Retirement_Pl1

Note 12 - Employee Retirement Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block]		Pension benefits				Postretirement benefits
		Three months ended				Three months ended
		March 31,				March 31,
		2015		2014		2015		2014
	Service cost	$	23	$	16	$	3	$	3
	Interest cost		36		38		8		9
	Expected return on plan assets		-45		-43
	Amortization of net loss						1
	Amortization of prior service cost (credit)		2		2		-1		-1
	Total pension and postretirement benefit expense	$	16	$	13	$	11	$	11

Note_13_Hedging_Activities_Tab

Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Notional Amounts of Outstanding Derivative Positions [Table Text Block]		U.S. Dollar			Asset derivatives				Liability derivatives
		Gross notional amount			Balance		Fair value		Balance	Fair value
					sheet				sheet
		March	December		location		March	December	location	March	December
		31, 2015	31, 2014				31, 2015	31, 2014		31, 2015	31, 2014
	Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign exchange contracts	$     742	$    487		Other current assets		$     34	$     22	Other accrued liabilities	$  (6)	$  (6)
					Other assets		8
	Interest rate contracts	1,300	1,300		Other assets			1	Other liabilities	-10	-15
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
	Foreign exchange contracts	564	1,285		Other current assets		14	17	Other accrued liabilities	-5	-5
	Translated earnings contracts	14,664	12,126		Other current assets		618	649	Other accrued liabilities	-32	-33
					Other assets		811	846	Other liabilities	-55
	Total derivatives	$17,270	$15,198				$1,485	$1,535		($108)	($59)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]		Effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated financial statements
		for the quarter ended March 31
	Derivatives in hedging relationships	Gain/(loss)			Location of gain/(loss)		Gain reclassified from
		recognized in other			reclassified from		accumulated OCI into
		comprehensive income			accumulated OCI into		income (effective) (1)
		(OCI)			income (effective)
		2015	2014				2015	2014
	Interest rate hedges	($13)			Sales		$5
					Cost of sales		2
	Foreign exchange contracts	27	($7)
	Total cash flow hedges	$ 14	($7)				$7
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]			Gain (loss) recognized in income
			Three months ended March 31,
	Undesignated derivatives	Location	2015			2014
	Foreign exchange contracts – balance sheet	Foreign currency transaction and hedge gain (loss), net	$	11		$	-12
	Foreign exchange contracts – loans	Foreign currency transaction and hedge gain (loss), net		2			4
	Translated earnings contracts	Foreign currency transaction and hedge gain (loss), net		29			2
	Total undesignated		$	42		$	-6

Note_14_Fair_Value_Measurement1

Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]				Fair value measurements at reporting date using
		March 31,		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		2015		active markets for		observable		unobservable
				identical assets		inputs		inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current assets:
	Short-term investments	$	763	$	763
	Other current assets (1)	$	666			$	666
	Non-current assets:
	Other assets (1)(2)	$	1,301			$	856	$	445
	Current liabilities:
	Other accrued liabilities (1)(3)	$	45			$	42	$	3
	Non-current liabilities:
	Other liabilities (1)(3)	$	75			$	65	$	10
				Fair value measurements at reporting date using
		December 31,		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		2014		active markets for		observable		unobservable
				identical assets		inputs		inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Current assets:
	Short-term investments	$	759	$	759
	Other current assets (1)	$	687			$	687
	Non-current assets:
	Other assets (1)(2)	$	1,330			$	885	$	445
	Current liabilities:
	Other accrued liabilities (1)	$	44			$	44
	Non-current liabilities:
	Other liabilities (1)	$	15			$	15

Note_15_Shareholders_Equity_Ta

Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015		2014
	Beginning balance	$	-581	$	492
	Other comprehensive (loss) income		-174		25
	Equity method affiliates		-82		-157
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income		-256		-132
	Ending balance	$	-837	$	360

Note_16_Sharebased_Compensatio1

Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]		Number		Weighted-		Weighted-		Aggregate
		of Shares		Average		Average		Intrinsic
		(in thousands)		Exercise		Remaining		Value
				Price		Contractual		(in thousands)
						Term in
						Years
	Options Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	48,724		$18.94
	Granted	501		22.70
	Exercised	(5,351)		16.66
	Forfeited and Expired	(25)		20.47
	Options Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	43,849		19.26		4.43		$188,767
	Options Expected to Vest as of March 31, 2015	43,782		19.26		4.42		188,505
	Options Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	37,293		19.73		3.72		148,763
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]		Three months ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Expected volatility	44.9	-	44.90%		46.2	-	46.20%
	Weighted-average volatility	44.9	-	44.90%		46.2	-	46.20%
	Expected dividends	1.92	-	1.92%		2.09	-	2.09%
	Risk-free rate	1.9	-	1.90%		2.2	-	2.20%
	Average risk-free rate	1.9	-	1.90%		2.2	-	2.20%
	Expected term (in years)	7.2	-	7.2		7.2	-	7.2
	Pre-vesting departure rate	0.6	-	0.60%		0.5	-	0.50%
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]		Shares		Weighted
		(000’s)		Average
				Grant-Date
				Fair Value
	Non-vested shares and share units at December 31, 2014	5,737		$	15.43
	Granted	1,138			22.88
	Vested	-1,454			13.48
	Forfeited
	Non-vested shares and share units at March 31, 2015	5,421		$	17.52

Note_18_Reportable_Segments_Ta

Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]			Display			Optical		Environmental		Specialty		Life		All		Total
			Technologies			Communications		Technologies		Materials		Sciences		Other
	Three months ended
	March 31, 2015
		Net sales	$	808		$	697	$	282	$	272	$	197	$	9	$	2,265
		Depreciation (1)	$	156		$	38	$	29	$	26	$	15	$	9	$	273
		Amortization of purchased intangibles				$	6					$	5			$	11
		Research, development and engineering expenses (2)	$	24		$	33	$	23	$	31	$	5	$	45	$	161
		Restructuring, impairment and other charges				$	-1									$	-1
		Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	$	-2										$	2
		Income tax (provision) benefit	$	-132		$	-29	$	-23	$	-21	$	-8	$	23	$	-190
		Net income (loss) (3)	$	294		$	57	$	48	$	38	$	16	$	-48	$	405
	Three months ended
	March 31, 2014
		Net sales	$	929		$	593	$	275	$	261	$	210	$	21	$	2,289
		Depreciation (1)	$	173		$	36	$	30	$	27	$	15	$	5	$	286
		Amortization of purchased intangibles				$	2					$	6			$	8
		Research, development and engineering expenses (2)	$	45		$	37	$	21	$	33	$	5	$	28	$	169
		Restructuring, impairment and other charges	$	5		$	12									$	17
		Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	$	-9				$	1					$	2	$	-6
		Income tax (provision) benefit	$	-198		$	-19	$	-21	$	-16	$	-8	$	16	$	-246
		Net income (loss) (3)	$	209		$	27	$	43	$	31	$	17	$	-40	$	287
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2015			2014
	Net income of reportable segments	$	453		$	327
	Non-reportable segments		-48			-40
	Unallocated amounts:
	Net financing costs (1)		-24			-29
	Stock-based compensation expense		-10			-15
	Exploratory research		-26			-27
	Corporate contributions		-12			-5
	Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments (2)		94			92
	Asbestos settlement		-1			-2
	Purchased collars and average forward contracts		-76			2
	Other corporate items (3)		57			-2
	Net income	$	407		$	301

Supplemental_Cash_Flow_Informa1

Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) (Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Member], Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 15, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions	2,300	1,900
Additional Amount Issued at Closing [Member]
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues		400
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues (in Dollars)		400

Note_1_Significant_Accounting_2

Note 1 - Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - Other (Expense) Income, Net (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Other (Expense) Income, Net [Abstract]
Net (gain) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests	($2)	$3
Other, net	-19	27
Total	($21)	$30

Note_2_Commitments_Contingenci1

Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		130 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Nov. 12, 2013	Apr. 16, 2000
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$94,000,000	$86,000,000
Recorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	300,000,000		300,000,000	287,000,000
Number of Hazardous Waste Sites	15		15
Environmental Cleanup And Related Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	41,000,000		41,000,000	43,000,000
Commercial Creditors [Member] | Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	100,000,000
Commercial Creditors [Member] | Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum	100,000,000		100,000,000
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	328,000,000		328,000,000
Contingent Guarantees [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	178,000,000		178,000,000	150,000,000
First Payment [Member] | Amended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Plan [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Required Payments Per Reorganization Plan					70,000,000
First Subsequent Anniversary [Member] | Amended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Plan [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Required Payments Per Reorganization Plan					35,000,000
Second Subsequent Anniversary [Member] | Amended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Plan [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Required Payments Per Reorganization Plan					50,000,000
Third Subsequent Anniversary [Member] | Amended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Plan [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Required Payments Per Reorganization Plan					35,000,000
Fourth Subsequent Anniversary [Member] | Amended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Plan [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Required Payments Per Reorganization Plan					50,000,000
Fifth Subsequent Anniversary [Member] | Amended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Plan [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Required Payments Per Reorganization Plan					50,000,000
Dow Corning Corporation [Member] | Dow Chemical Company [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation (PCC) [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Pending Claims, Number						11,800
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation (PCC) [Member] | PPG Industries, Inc. [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Pittsburgh Corning Corporation (PCC) [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Equity Method Investments						0
Pittsburgh Corning Europe (PCE) [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments, Fair Value Disclosure	242,000,000		242,000,000	241,000,000
Equity Method Investments	145,000,000		145,000,000	162,000,000
Amended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation Plan [Member] | Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Required Payments Per Reorganization Plan					290,000,000
Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Asbestos Settlement (Credit) Charge	1,000,000	2,000,000
Non-PCC Asbestos Litigation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Other Cases Currently Involved Alleging Injuries from Asbestos and Similar Amounts of Monetary Damages Per Case	9,700
Number of Claims in Other Cases Currently Involved Alleging Injuries from Asbestos and Similar Amounts of Monetary Damages Per Case	37,300
Insurance Recoveries	19,000,000
Loss Contingency Accrual, Period Increase (Decrease)	150,000,000
Undiscounted Projection of Claims and Related Legal Fees, Period	20 years
Amended PCC Plan and Non-PCC Asbestos Claims [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss	682,000,000		682,000,000	681,000,000
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Note 2 - Commitments, Contingencies, and Guarantees (Details) [Line Items]
Payments for Legal Settlements			1,800,000,000
Estimated Litigation Liability	363,000,000		363,000,000	364,000,000
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$92,000,000	$92,000,000

Note_3_Debt_Details

Note 3 - Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Instrument, Fair Value Disclosure	$3,600,000,000	$3,600,000,000
Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations	$3,165,000,000	$3,227,000,000

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	35.00%	35.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Holiday, Percent	0.30%	1.20%
Korean Withholding Tax [Member]
Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment for Equity Investment Dividend (in Dollars)		102
Low Or No Tax Cost [Member]
Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Undistributed Earnings of Foreign Subsidiaries (in Dollars)	6
National Tax Agency, Japan [Member]
Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) [Line Items]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability (in Dollars)	11

Note_4_Income_Taxes_Details_Pr

Note 4 - Income Taxes (Details) - Provision for Income Taxes (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Provision for Income Taxes [Abstract]
Provision for income taxes	($86)	($180)
Effective tax rate	17.40%	37.40%

Note_5_Earnings_Per_Common_Sha2

Note 5 - Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Note 5 - Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share [Line Items]
Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated (in Dollars)	$407	$301
Net income available to common stockholders - basic (in Dollars)	383	280
Net income available to common stockholders - diluted (in Dollars)	407	280
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic	1,266	1,359
Effect of dilutive securities:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted	1,394	1,370
Basic earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.21
Diluted earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.29	$0.20
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share	14	138
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]
Note 5 - Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share [Line Items]
Less: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend (in Dollars)	-24	-21
Plus: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend (in Dollars)	$24	$21
Effect of dilutive securities:
Effect of dilutive securities	115
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share		97
Stock Compensation Plan [Member]
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share	14	29
Forward Contracts [Member]
Antidilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share:
Anti-dilutive potential shares excluded from diluted earnings per common share		12
Stock Options and Other Dilutive Securities [Member]
Effect of dilutive securities:
Effect of dilutive securities	13	11

Note_6_AvailableforSale_Invest2

Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Available For Sale Investments [Abstract]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, after Ten Years, Fair Value	$37	[1]
Marketable Securities, Realized Loss, Other than Temporary Impairments, Amount	4			4
Proceeds from Sale of Short-term Investments	$282		$338
[1]	Includes $37 million of asset-based securities that mature over time and are being reported at their final maturity dates.

Note_6_AvailableforSale_Invest3

Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) - Summary of Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Investments (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member]
Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) - Summary of Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Investments [Line Items]
Amortized cost	$761	$759
Fair value	763	759
Total Short-Term Investments [Member]
Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) - Summary of Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Investments [Line Items]
Amortized cost	761	759
Fair value	763	759
Asset-backed Securities [Member]
Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) - Summary of Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Investments [Line Items]
Amortized cost	41	42
Fair value	37	38
Total Long-Term Investments [Member]
Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) - Summary of Fair Value of Available-for-Sale Investments [Line Items]
Amortized cost	41	42
Fair value	$37	$38

Note_6_AvailableforSale_Invest4

Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) - Summary of Maturities of Available-for-Sale Securities (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Maturities of Available-for-Sale Securities [Abstract]
Less than one year	$535
Due in 1-5 years	228
Due after 10 years (1)	37	[1]
Total	$800
[1]	Includes $37 million of asset-based securities that mature over time and are being reported at their final maturity dates.

Note_6_AvailableforSale_Invest5

Note 6 - Available-for-Sale Investments (Details) - Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses of Investments by Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value and Gross Unrealized Losses of Investments by Length of Time in Continuous Unrealized Loss Position [Abstract]
Number of Securities in A Loss Position	21		21
12 months or Greater, Fair Value	$37		$37
12 months or Greater, Unrealized Losses	-4	[1]	-4	[1]
Total, Fair Value	37		37
Total, Unrealized Losses	($4)		($4)
[1]	Unrealized losses in securities less than 12 months were not significant.

Note_7_Inventories_Net_of_Inve2

Note 7 - Inventories, Net of Inventory Reserves (Details) - Inventories, Net (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventories, Net [Abstract]
Finished goods	$527	$486
Work in process	257	255
Raw materials and accessories	268	302
Supplies and packing materials	279	279
Total inventories, net of inventory reserves	$1,331	$1,322

Note_8_Investments_Details

Note 8 - Investments (Details) (Dow Corning Corporation [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Note 8 - Investments (Details) [Line Items]
Research and Development Expense	$62	$67
Gain (Loss) on Contract Termination	178	32
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Derivative, Loss on Derivative	27
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Derivative, Gain on Derivative		$99

Note_8_Investments_Details_Res

Note 8 - Investments (Details) - Results of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Statement of Operations:
Corning’s equity in earnings of Dow Corning	$94		$86
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Statement of Operations:
Net sales	1,364		1,524
Gross profit (1)	358	[1]	483	[1]
Net income attributable to Dow Corning	185		191
Corning’s equity in earnings of Dow Corning	$92		$92
[1]	Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2015 includes research and development costs of $62 million (2014: $67 million).

Note_9_Acquisitions_Details

Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Businesses Acquired	4
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs	9
Patents, Trademarks, Trade Names, Customer Lists and Other [Member]
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) [Line Items]
Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life	10 years
IBwave Solutions and Fiberoptics [Member]
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	28
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	13

Note_9_Acquisitions_Details_Re

Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) - Recognized Amounts of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2014
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) - Recognized Amounts of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Line Items]
Goodwill (1)	$1,343		$1,150	$1,150
Optical Communications [Member] | Four Acquisitions [Member]
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) - Recognized Amounts of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Line Items]
Goodwill (1)	220	[1]
Optical Communications [Member]
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) - Recognized Amounts of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Line Items]
Goodwill (1)	456			238
Four Acquisitions [Member]
Note 9 - Acquisitions (Details) - Recognized Amounts of Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	2
Trade receivables	49
Inventory	28
Property, plant and equipment	37
Other intangible assets	233
Other current and non-current assets	32
Current and non-current liabilities	-54
Total identified net assets	327
Purchase consideration	($547)
[1]	The goodwill was allocated to the Optical Communications segment.

Note_10_Property_Plant_and_Equ2

Note 10 - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Interest Costs Capitalized	$10,000,000	$10,000,000
Precious Metals	3,100,000,000		3,100,000,000
Depletion	$7,000,000	$8,000,000

Note_10_Property_Plant_and_Equ3

Note 10 - Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation (Details) - Property, Net (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$21,299	$21,098
Accumulated depreciation	-8,591	-8,332
Total	12,708	12,766
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	452	458
Building [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	5,472	5,470
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	13,956	13,848
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$1,419	$1,322

Note_11_Goodwill_and_Other_Int2

Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Goodwill, Gross	$7,800,000,000		$7,600,000,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	233,000,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	12,000,000	8,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Translation Adjustments	16,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Remainder of Fiscal Year	57,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	55,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	55,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	55,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	55,000,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, after Year Five	50,000,000
Optical Communications [Member]
Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss	$6,500,000,000		$6,500,000,000

Note_11_Goodwill_and_Other_Int3

Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 30, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	$1,150		$1,150
Acquired goodwill (1)	220	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-27
Balance	1,343		1,150
Optical Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance			238
Acquired goodwill (1)	220	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-2
Balance	456		238
Display Technologies [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance			134
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-1
Balance	133		134
Specialty Materials [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance			198
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-5
Balance	193		198
Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance			580
Foreign currency translation adjustment	-19
Balance	$561		$580
[1]	The Company completed several acquisitions in the Optical Communications segment during the first quarter of 2015. Refer to Note 9 (Acquisitions) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on these acquisitions.

Note_11_Goodwill_and_Other_Int4

Note 11 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Other Intangible Assets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, gross	$928	$713
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	226	216
Other intangible assets, net	702	497
Patents, Trademarks, and Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, gross	353	302
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	152	149
Other intangible assets, net	201	153
Customer Lists and Other [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets, gross	575	411
Other intangible assets, accumulated amortization	74	67
Other intangible assets, net	$501	$344

Note_12_Employee_Retirement_Pl2

Note 12 - Employee Retirement Plans (Details) - Summary of Net Periodic Benefit Cost (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Pension Plan [Member]
Note 12 - Employee Retirement Plans (Details) - Summary of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Line Items]
Service cost	$23	$16
Interest cost	36	38
Expected return on plan assets	-45	-43
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	2	2
Total pension and postretirement benefit expense	16	13
Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Member]
Note 12 - Employee Retirement Plans (Details) - Summary of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Line Items]
Service cost	3	3
Interest cost	8	9
Amortization of net loss	1
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	-1	-1
Total pension and postretirement benefit expense	$11	$11

Note_13_Hedging_Activities_Det

Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Billions, unless otherwise specified
Gross Notional Value [Member] | Translated Earnings Contracts [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$14.70	$12.10
Gross Notional Value [Member] | Collar Options [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	5.8	2.3
Gross Notional Value [Member] | Foreign Exchange Forward [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	8.9	9.8
Net Notional Value [Member] | Collar Options [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$3	$1.20

Note_13_Hedging_Activities_Det1

Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Summary of Notional Amounts and Respective Fair Values of Derivative Financial Instruments (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Notional amount	$17,270	$15,198
Asset derivatives, fair value	1,485	1,535
Liability derivatives, fair value	-108	-59
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Notional amount	742	487
Asset derivatives, fair value	34	22
Liability derivatives, fair value	-6	-6
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Notional amount	1,300	1,300
Asset derivatives, fair value		1
Liability derivatives, fair value	-10	-15
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Asset derivatives, fair value	8
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Notional amount	564	1,285
Asset derivatives, fair value	14	17
Liability derivatives, fair value	-5	-5
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Translated Earnings Contracts [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Notional amount	14,664	12,126
Asset derivatives, fair value	618	649
Liability derivatives, fair value	-32	-33
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Asset derivatives, fair value	811	846
Liability derivatives, fair value	($55)

Note_13_Hedging_Activities_Det2

Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Sales [Member] | Interest Rate Hedges [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (oci)	($13)
Gain reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective)	5	[1]
Cost of Sales [Member] | Interest Rate Hedges [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective)	2	[1]
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (oci)	14		-7
Gain reclassified from accumulated OCI into income (effective)	7	[1]
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain/(loss) recognized in other comprehensive income (oci)	$27		($7)
[1]	The amount of hedge ineffectiveness at March 31, 2015 and 2014 was insignificant.

Note_13_Hedging_Activities_Det3

Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income	$29	$2
Foreign Currency Transaction and Hedge Gain (Loss), Net [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts, Balance Sheet [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income	11	-12
Foreign Currency Transaction and Hedge Gain (Loss), Net [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contracts, Loans [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income	2	4
Foreign Currency Transaction and Hedge Gain (Loss), Net [Member] | Translated Earnings Contracts [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income	29	2
Undesignated [Member]
Note 13 - Hedging Activities (Details) - Effect on Consolidated Financial Statements [Line Items]
Gain (loss) recognized in income	$42	($6)

Note_14_Fair_Value_Measurement2

Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Asset	$445	$445
IBwave Solutions and Fiberoptics [Member]
Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) [Line Items]
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	$13

Note_14_Fair_Value_Measurement3

Note 14 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Major Categories of Financial Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Non-current assets:
Other assets	$1,685		$1,722
Current liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities (1)(3)	917		1,291
Non-current liabilities:
Other liabilities (1)(3)	2,081		2,046
Current Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Current assets:
Short-term investments	763		759
Current Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Current assets:
Other current assets	666	[1]	687	[1]
Current Assets [Member]
Current assets:
Short-term investments	763		759
Other current assets	666	[1]	687	[1]
Non Current Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Non-current assets:
Other assets	856	[1],[2]	885	[1],[2]
Non Current Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Non-current assets:
Other assets	445	[1],[2]	445	[1],[2]
Non Current Assets [Member]
Non-current assets:
Other assets	1,301	[1],[2]	1,330	[1],[2]
Current Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities			44	[1]
Current liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities (1)(3)	42	[1],[3]
Current Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Current liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities (1)(3)	3	[1],[3]
Current Liabilities [Member]
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities			44	[1]
Current liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities (1)(3)	45	[1],[3]
Non Current Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities			15	[1]
Non-current liabilities:
Other liabilities (1)(3)	65	[1],[3]
Non Current Liabilities [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Non-current liabilities:
Other liabilities (1)(3)	10	[1],[3]
Non Current Liabilities [Member]
Current liabilities:
Other liabilities			15	[1]
Non-current liabilities:
Other liabilities (1)(3)	$75	[1],[3]
[1]	Derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange forward and purchased collar contracts, and interest rate swaps which are measured using observable quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities.
[2]	Other assets include asset-backed securities which are measured using observable quoted prices for similar assets and contingent consideration assets which are measured by applying an option pricing model using projected future revenue.
[3]	Other accrued liabilities and other liabilities include contingent consideration payables which are measured by applying an option pricing model using projected future revenues.

Note_15_Shareholders_Equity_De

Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 15, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 03, 2014
Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share)			$100	$100
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Realized upon Sale or Liquidation, before Tax	$136,000,000
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Member] | Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions (in Shares)	1,900	2,300
Share Price (in Dollars per share)		$1,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions		2,300,000,000
Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A [Member]
Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share (in Dollars per share)		$100
Common Stock [Member]
Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Convertible Preferred Stock, Shares Issued upon Conversion (in Shares)		50,000
Dec. 3, 2014 [Member]
Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired (in Shares)			21,100,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method			502,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount					$1,500,000,000

Note_15_Shareholders_Equity_De1

Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning balance			($1,307)
Ending balance	-1,556		-1,307
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Note 15 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Beginning balance	-581	492
Other comprehensive (loss) income	-174	25
Equity method affiliates	-82	-157
Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	-256	-132
Ending balance	($837)	$360

Note_16_Sharebased_Compensatio2

Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation	$10	$15
Maximum Term for Non-Qualified and Incentive Stock Options	10 years
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	89	50
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value	40	32
Years of Historical Volatility Included in Most Recent Volatility	15 years
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	8
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 328 days
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	4	6
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised	89	50
Restricted Stock [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	1 year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	1 year
Restricted Stock [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period	10 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	10 years
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized	41
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition	1 year 255 days
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense	$6	$9
Minimum [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Options Exercisable Period from Date of Grant	1 year
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	7 years 73 days	7 years 73 days
Maximum [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Options Exercisable Period from Date of Grant	5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term	7 years 73 days	7 years 73 days

Note_16_Sharebased_Compensatio3

Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of Information Concerning Stock Options Outstanding Including the Related Transactions under the Stock Option Plans (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Information Concerning Stock Options Outstanding Including the Related Transactions under the Stock Option Plans [Abstract]
Options Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	48,724
Options Outstanding as of December 31, 2014	$18.94
Granted	501
Granted	$22.70
Exercised	-5,351
Exercised	$16.66
Forfeited and Expired	-25
Forfeited and Expired	$20.47
Options Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	43,849
Options Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	$19.26
Options Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	4 years 156 days
Options Outstanding as of March 31, 2015	$188,767
Options Expected to Vest as of March 31, 2015	43,782
Options Expected to Vest as of March 31, 2015	$19.26
Options Expected to Vest as of March 31, 2015	4 years 153 days
Options Expected to Vest as of March 31, 2015	188,505
Options Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	37,293
Options Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	$19.73
Options Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	3 years 262 days
Options Exercisable as of March 31, 2015	$148,763

Note_16_Sharebased_Compensatio4

Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Inputs Used for Valuation of Option Grants under Stock Option Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Minimum [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Inputs Used for Valuation of Option Grants under Stock Option Plans [Line Items]
Expected volatility	44.90%	46.20%
Weighted-average volatility	44.90%	46.20%
Expected dividends	1.92%	2.09%
Risk-free rate	1.90%	2.20%
Average risk-free rate	1.90%	2.20%
Expected term (in years)	7 years 73 days	7 years 73 days
Pre-vesting departure rate	0.60%	0.50%
Maximum [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Inputs Used for Valuation of Option Grants under Stock Option Plans [Line Items]
Expected volatility	44.90%	46.20%
Weighted-average volatility	44.90%	46.20%
Expected dividends	1.92%	2.09%
Risk-free rate	1.90%	2.20%
Average risk-free rate	1.90%	2.20%
Expected term (in years)	7 years 73 days	7 years 73 days
Pre-vesting departure rate	0.60%	0.50%

Note_16_Sharebased_Compensatio5

Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of the Status of Non-Vested Time-Based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units (Time-Based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Time-Based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Note 16 - Share-based Compensation (Details) - Summary of the Status of Non-Vested Time-Based Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Line Items]
Non-vested shares and share units at December 31, 2014	5,737
Non-vested shares and share units at December 31, 2014	$15.43
Granted	1,138
Granted	$22.88
Vested	-1,454
Vested	$13.48
Non-vested shares and share units at March 31, 2015	5,421
Non-vested shares and share units at March 31, 2015	$17.52

Note_17_Significant_Customers_

Note 17 - Significant Customers (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Significant Customers [Abstract]
Number of Significant Customers	1	1

Note_18_Reportable_Segments_De

Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Display Technologies [Member]
Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Customers Individually Accounting for 10% or More of Each Segment's Sales	3
Percent of Total Segment Sales	62.00%
Optical Communications [Member]
Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Customers Individually Accounting for 10% or More of Each Segment's Sales	1
Percent of Total Segment Sales	10.00%
Environmental Technologies [Member]
Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Customers Individually Accounting for 10% or More of Each Segment's Sales	3
Percent of Total Segment Sales	86.00%
Specialty Materials [Member]
Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Customers Individually Accounting for 10% or More of Each Segment's Sales	3
Percent of Total Segment Sales	60.00%
Life Sciences [Member]
Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Customers Individually Accounting for 10% or More of Each Segment's Sales	2
Percent of Total Segment Sales	45.00%
Minimum [Member]
Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Material Formulations	150

Note_18_Reportable_Segments_De1

Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) - Reportable Segments (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$2,265		$2,289
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			17
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			-17
Operating Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	2,265		2,289
Depreciation	273	[1]	286	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	11		8
Research, development and engineering expenses	161	[2]	169	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	1		17
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	-1		-17
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies			-6
Income tax (provision) benefit	-190		-246
Net income (loss)	405	[3]	287	[3]
Display Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	808		929
Depreciation	156	[1]	173	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	24	[2]	45	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			5
Restructuring, impairment and other charges			-5
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	-2		-9
Income tax (provision) benefit	-132		-198
Net income (loss)	294	[3]	209	[3]
Optical Communications [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	697		593
Depreciation	38	[1]	36	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	6		2
Research, development and engineering expenses	33	[2]	37	[2]
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	1		12
Restructuring, impairment and other charges	-1		-12
Income tax (provision) benefit	-29		-19
Net income (loss)	57	[3]	27	[3]
Environmental Technologies [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	282		275
Depreciation	29	[1]	30	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	23	[2]	21	[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies			1
Income tax (provision) benefit	-23		-21
Net income (loss)	48	[3]	43	[3]
Specialty Materials [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	272		261
Depreciation	26	[1]	27	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	31	[2]	33	[2]
Income tax (provision) benefit	-21		-16
Net income (loss)	38	[3]	31	[3]
Life Sciences [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	197		210
Depreciation	15	[1]	15	[1]
Amortization of purchased intangibles	5		6
Research, development and engineering expenses	5	[2]	5	[2]
Income tax (provision) benefit	-8		-8
Net income (loss)	16	[3]	17	[3]
All Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	9		21
Depreciation	9	[1]	5	[1]
Research, development and engineering expenses	45	[2]	28	[2]
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies	2		2
Income tax (provision) benefit	23		16
Net income (loss)	($48)	[3]	($40)	[3]
[1]	Depreciation expense for Corning's reportable segments includes an allocation of depreciation of corporate property not specifically identifiable to a segment.
[2]	Research, development, and engineering expenses include direct project spending that is identifiable to a segment.
[3]	Many of Corning's administrative and staff functions are performed on a centralized basis. Where practicable, Corning charges these expenses to segments based upon the extent to which each business uses a centralized function. Other staff functions, such as corporate finance, human resources and legal, are allocated to segments, primarily as a percentage of sales.

Note_18_Reportable_Segments_De2

Note 18 - Reportable Segments (Details) - Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Net Income (Loss) to Consolidated Net Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income	$407		$301
Unallocated amounts:
Net financing costs (1)	-24	[1]	-29	[1]
Stock-based compensation expense	-10		-15
Exploratory research	-26		-27
Corporate contributions	-12		-5
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments (2)	94	[2]	92	[2]
Asbestos settlement	-1		-2
Purchased collars and average forward contracts	-76		2
Other corporate items (3)	57	[3]	-2	[3]
Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income	453		327
Non Reportable Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income	($48)		($40)
[1]	Net financing costs include interest income, interest expense, and interest costs and investment gains associated with benefit plans.
[2]	Primarily represents the equity earnings of Dow Corning.
[3]	Other corporate items include the tax impact of the unallocated amounts, excluding purchased collars and average rate forward contracts.