Consolidated Condensed Statement of Equity (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock	Class B Convertible Common Stock	Capital In Excess of Par Value	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Total Vishay Stockholders' Equity	Noncontrolling Interest	Total
Balance at Dec. 31, 2010	$ 15,061	$ 1,435	$ 2,156,981	$ (742,237)	$ 60,491	$ 1,491,731	$ 5,419	$ 1,497,150
Net earnings	0	0	0	207,869	0	207,869	926	208,795
Other comprehensive income	0	0	0	0	19,612	19,612	0	19,612
Comprehensive income						227,481	926	228,407
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	0	0	0	0	0	0	(500)	(500)
Phantom and restricted stock issuances	19	0	(130)	0	0	(111)	0	(111)
Issuance of convertible debentures due 2041	0	0	61,758	0	0	61,758	0	61,758
Stock repurchase	(862)	0	(149,138)	0	0	(150,000)	0	(150,000)
Stock compensation expense	0	0	6,106	0	0	6,106	0	6,106
Stock options exercised	65	0	9,610	0	0	9,675	0	9,675
Tax effects of stock plan	0	0	555	0	0	555	0	555
Conversions from Class B to common stock	90	(90)	0	0	0	0	0	0
Balance at Oct. 01, 2011	$ 14,373	$ 1,345	$ 2,085,742	$ (534,368)	$ 80,103	$ 1,647,195	$ 5,845	$ 1,653,040