Corning Inc. is an American multinational technology company that specializes in producing glass, ceramics, and related materials for industrial and scientific purposes. The company was founded in 1851 in Corning, New York, by Amory Houghton, a former executive at the Massachusetts-based glass manufacturer, Boston and Sandwich Glass Company. Originally, the company produced glass for the railroad industry, but it soon expanded into other areas, including scientific glassware, television tubes, and optical fiber.
Today, Corning is a diversified technology company with a wide range of products and services. The company operates in five segments: Display Technologies, Optical Communications, Environmental Technologies, Specialty Materials, and Life Sciences. Display Technologies produces glass substrates for LCDs, while Optical Communications produces fiber optic cables and other components for telecommunications networks. Environmental Technologies provides emissions control products for automobiles, trucks, and other vehicles, while Specialty Materials produces products for the semiconductor and other high-tech industries. Finally, Life Sciences produces laboratory glassware and other materials for the healthcare industry.
Corning went public in 1949 and has been listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GLW" ever since. The company has a long history of innovation and has been involved in many groundbreaking projects. In 1970, Corning developed the first fiber optic cable, which revolutionized telecommunications and made possible the modern internet. In the 1980s, the company invented Gorilla Glass, a tough, scratch-resistant glass used in smartphones and other electronic devices. In recent years, Corning has focused on developing new products for the automotive industry, including emissions control systems and lightweight, durable glass for windshields and other applications.
As of 2021, Corning employs approximately 50,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 20 countries. The company is headquartered in Corning, New York, and has a market capitalization of approximately $50 billion.