Investments (Related Party Information For Investments In Affiliates) (Details) (Affiliated Companies [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Affiliated Companies [Member]
Schedule of Investments [Line Items]
Corning sales to affiliated companies	$ 7	$ 6
Corning purchases from affiliated companies	18	37
Corning transfers of assets, at cost, to affiliated companies	15	34
Dividends received from affiliated companies	518	320
Royalty income from affiliated companies	22	62
Corning services to affiliates	$ 10	$ 8

Costs associated with revenues arising from an entity that is an affiliate of the reporting entity by means of direct or indirect ownership.

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This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

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- Definition

Revenues arising from transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiaries; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) an entity and trusts for the benefit of employees, such as pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of the entity's' management; (d) an entity and its principal, owners, management, or members of their immediate families; and (e) affiliates.

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