Note 8 - Acquisitions - Fair Value of Samsung Corning Precision Materials at Acquisition Date (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
	Jan. 15, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 29, 2015
Less contingent consideration - receivable				$ (289,000)	$ (246,000)
Samsung Corning Precision Materials Co., Ltd. [Member]
Ownership percentage		42.50%
Ownership percentage		57.50%
Ownership percentage		100.00%
Fair value based on $1.9 billion consideration transferred		$ 1,911,000
Fair value based on $1.9 billion consideration transferred		2,588,000
Fair value based on $1.9 billion consideration transferred		4,499,000
Less contingent consideration - receivable	$ (196,000)	(196,000)		$ (289,000)	$ (246,000)	$ (458,000)
Less contingent consideration - receivable		(265,000)
Less contingent consideration - receivable		(461,000)
Net fair value of consideration @ 100%		1,715,000
57.5% of Samsung Corning Precision Materials (2)	2,300,000	2,323,000	[1]
Fair value Samsung Corning Precision Materials	4,000,000	4,038,000
Corning’s loss on royalty contract	(136,000)	(136,000)
Corning’s loss on royalty contract	(184,000)	(184,000)
Corning’s loss on royalty contract	(320,000)	(320,000)
Fair value post-acquisition		1,579,000
Fair value post-acquisition	2,100,000	2,139,000
Fair value post-acquisition		3,718,000
Corning’s fair value 57.5% post-acquisition	$ 2,100,000	2,139,000
Total fair value at January 15, 2014		$ 3,718,000

[1] As Corning was a 57.5% shareholder at the date of acquisition, immediately preceding the acquisition of Samsung Corning Precision Materials, Corning recognized an asset and respective gain as part of the calculation of its previously held equity investment which included approximately $184 million attributed to its economic interest in the royalty contract.