Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenue
Cost of goods sold
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	6,400	8,400
Research and development
GBAM Fund expenses	500	500
Impairment charges:
Intangible assets	6,200
Restructuring and other	(4,800)	(200)
Total operating expenses	8,300	8,700
Operating loss from continuing operations	(8,300)	(8,700)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	(100)
Net income (loss) from GBAM Fund activities	(900)	1,200
Other income (expense), net	500	(500)
Total other income (expense)	(500)	700
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes	(8,800)	(8,000)
Income tax benefit	100	5,700
Loss from continuing operations	(8,700)	(2,300)
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	6,400	(6,100)
Gain on sale of discontinued businesses, net of income taxes	6,400
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	12,800	(6,100)
Net Income (loss)	$ 4,100	$ (18,600)
Earnings (loss) per common share attributable to GlassBridge common shareholders - basic and diluted:
Continuing operations	$ (1.71)	$ (0.49)
Discontinued operations	2.51	(1.30)
Net Earnings (loss)	$ 0.80	$ (1.79)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic and diluted	5,100,000	4,700,000