Note 10 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - Carrying Amount of Goodwill by Segment (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	$ 1,002		$ 974
Acquired goodwill	122	[1]	32	[2]
Measurement period adjustment	60	[3]	(4)	[2],[4]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(34)
Balance	1,150		1,002
Optical Communications [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	240		209
Acquired goodwill			32	[2]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(2)		(1)
Balance	238		240
Display Technologies [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	9				9
Acquired goodwill	68	[1]
Measurement period adjustment	60	[3]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(3)
Balance	134				9
Specialty Materials [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	150				150
Acquired goodwill	54	[1]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(6)
Balance	198				150
Life Sciences [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Balance	603		606
Measurement period adjustment			(4)	[2],[4]
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(23)		1
Balance	$ 580		$ 603

[1] The Company recorded the Acquisition of Samsung Corning Precision Materials and a small acquisition in the Specialty Materials segment in the first quarter of 2014. Refer to Note 8 (Acquisition) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information on the Acquisition of Samsung Corning Precision Materials.

[2] The company recorded a small acquisition and consolidated an equity company due to a change in control in the second quarter of 2013.

[3] In the year ended December 31, 2014, the company recorded measurement period adjustments of $60 million for the Acquisition of Samsung Corning Precision Materials primarily related to the accrual of contingent liabilities and employee benefit obligations.

[4] The Company recorded the acquisition of the Discovery Labware business of Becton Dickinson and Company in the fourth quarter of 2012. In the second quarter of 2013, Corning recorded measurement period adjustments. Refer to Note 8 (Acquisition) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.