Operating Segments (Consolidated Net Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income of reportable segments	$ 742	$ 792		$ 1,473	$ 1,524
Non-reportable segments	(20)	(19)		(35)	(34)
Net financing costs	(47)	(44)		(99)	(90)
Stock-based compensation expense	(22)	(26)		(45)	(55)
Exploratory research	(19)	(14)		(36)	(29)
Corporate contributions	(11)	(7)		(32)	(19)
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net of impairments	100	114		191	225
Asbestos settlement	(5)	(5)	54	(10)	47
Other corporate items	37	122		96	160
Net income	755	913		1,503	1,729
Charge from reversal of deferred tax asset					56
Dow Corning Corporation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
U.S. advanced energy manufacturing tax credit					$ 21

The charges for the period are the result of the changes in the fair value of the components of the proposed asbestos settlement agreement (See the Commitment and Contingency footnote and the Investment footnote for further details).

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Corporate Contributions

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The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process.

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The Company measures and recognizes cost for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, based on estimated fair value. Included in the calculation are employee stock options, time-based restricted stock and restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock and restricted stock units, and the Worldwide Employee Share Purchase Plan.

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Corning Incorporated equity earnings share U.S. advanced energy manufacturing tax credits at Dow Corning Corporation an equity company affiliate of Corning Incorporated.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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