At Corning, our growth is fueled by a commitment to innovation. We succeed through sustained investment in research, development, and engineering (RD&E), a unique combination of material and process innovation, and close collaboration with customers to solve tough technology challenges. We are a four-time National Medal of Technology winner thanks to our technology leadership and R&D environment, which attract and enable the best scientific minds in the world. This pipeline of talent has brought life-changing innovation to your fingertips for nearly 170 years.
Innovation Timeline
Innovation Timeline
Corning's history of innovation spans nearly 170 years, from creating the glass encasement for Edison's light bulb in 1879 to developing revolutionary pharmaceutical glass packaging to protect 21st century drugs with Corning Valor? Glass.
Corning's history of innovation spans nearly 170 years, from creating the glass encasement for Edison's light bulb in 1879 to developing revolutionary pharmaceutical glass packaging to protect 21st century drugs with Corning Valor? Glass.
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Our History of Innovation
Our History of Innovation
For nearly 170 years, we've applied our unparalleled expertise in specialty glass, ceramics, and optical physics to develop products that have created new industries and transformed people's lives.
For nearly 170 years, we've applied our unparalleled expertise in specialty glass, ceramics, and optical physics to develop products that have created new industries and transformed people's lives.
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Gordon S. Fulcher Sabbatical Program
Gordon S. Fulcher Sabbatical Program
Working to strengthen the future of the U.S. glass industry, Corning invites applicants from the academic community each year for a six-month sabbatical at the company's Sullivan Park Research Center.
Working to strengthen the future of the U.S. glass industry, Corning invites applicants from the academic community each year for a six-month sabbatical at the company's Sullivan Park Research Center.
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Legendary Scientists
Legendary Scientists
Learn more about the researchers and scientists who have had a major impact on the company's innovative products.
Learn more about the researchers and scientists who have had a major impact on the company's innovative products.
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Life-Changing Innovations
Life-Changing Innovations
What does it take to transform the world? Corning’s success stems from our founders’ deep belief in the scientific approach to glass making.
What does it take to transform the world? Corning’s success stems from our founders’ deep belief in the scientific approach to glass making.
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50 years of Corning in space, from the first moon landing to today
50 years of Corning in space, from the first moon landing to today
Did you know Corning was involved in the first moon landing, with Apollo 11, and supplied glass for many space missions and research throughout history?
Did you know Corning was involved in the first moon landing, with Apollo 11, and supplied glass for many space missions and research throughout history?
Learn MoreCelebrating 50 Years of Low-loss Optical Fiber
50 Years of Optical Fiber
50 Years of Optical Fiber
For the last 50 years, optical fiber has transformed the way we connect, and we can’t wait to see what the next 50 years has in store. Watch this video to learn more about this revolutionary innovation.
For the last 50 years, optical fiber has transformed the way we connect, and we can’t wait to see what the next 50 years has in store. Watch this video to learn more about this revolutionary innovation.
The History Of Optical Fiber
The History Of Optical Fiber
Thanks to fiber optics, invented in a Corning lab in 1970, enormous amounts of data, phone calls and video can move around the planet. That movement of data has in turn enabled innovation after innovation, including the internet, cloud, mobile boom, streaming TV, autonomous cars, bitcoin, AI – and whatever comes next. This is that story.
Thanks to fiber optics, invented in a Corning lab in 1970, enormous amounts of data, phone calls and video can move around the planet. That movement of data has in turn enabled innovation after innovation, including the internet, cloud, mobile boom, streaming TV, autonomous cars, bitcoin, AI – and whatever comes next. This is that story.
Innovations in Optical Fiber
Innovations in Optical Fiber
Relying on our exceptional inventive capacity, we developed the first low-loss optical fiber in 1970, paving the way for the information highway. The world as we know it today simply would not exist without optical fiber.
Relying on our exceptional inventive capacity, we developed the first low-loss optical fiber in 1970, paving the way for the information highway. The world as we know it today simply would not exist without optical fiber.
Far-Reaching Research & Development
Global Labs
Global Labs
Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and close collaboration with customers to solve tough technology challenges.
Corning succeeds through sustained investment in RD&E, a unique combination of material and process innovation, and close collaboration with customers to solve tough technology challenges.
Learn MoreInnovation Video Gallery
Hail Damage Simulation
Hail Damage Simulation
Watch what happens when we fire an ice ball travelling at 55 mph at two different types of automotive windows – first at a thick, conventional car window, and then at a car window that includes light, tough, optically advantaged Corning? Gorilla? Glass.
Watch what happens when we fire an ice ball travelling at 55 mph at two different types of automotive windows – first at a thick, conventional car window, and then at a car window that includes light, tough, optically advantaged Corning? Gorilla? Glass.
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Corning's Ribbon Machine
Corning's Ribbon Machine
Learn the story behind this life-changing invention that made light bulbs affordable for use in virtually every home around the world.
Learn the story behind this life-changing invention that made light bulbs affordable for use in virtually every home around the world.
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Ceramic Thermal Expansion
Ceramic Thermal Expansion
Corning's ceramic products, including catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters help reduce mobile emissions and enable cleaner air.
Corning's ceramic products, including catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters help reduce mobile emissions and enable cleaner air.
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Watch more Innovation videos
Watch more Innovation videos
Click the link below to access our full video archive.
Click the link below to access our full video archive.
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Optical Fiber Attenuation
Optical Fiber Attenuation
Learn how light brings high-speed connectivity to your home and the world.
Learn how light brings high-speed connectivity to your home and the world.
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Viscosity Demonstration
Viscosity Demonstration
Why is the viscosity of glass important? Watch the video to learn more about the viscosity of glass and how it can differ based on temperature and glass composition.
Why is the viscosity of glass important? Watch the video to learn more about the viscosity of glass and how it can differ based on temperature and glass composition.
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