Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 749,088	$ 897,338
Short-term investments	249,139	0
Accounts receivable, net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $7,187 and $9,253, respectively	270,970	330,556
Inventories
Finished goods	104,478	109,762
Work in process	181,354	178,844
Raw materials	131,795	139,216
Total inventories	417,627	427,822
Deferred income taxes	24,632	31,903
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	119,220	106,885
Total current assets	1,830,676	1,794,504
Property and equipment, at cost:
Land	91,507	93,020
Buildings and improvements	493,550	477,518
Machinery and equipment	2,079,395	2,025,793
Construction in progress	94,717	75,051
Allowance for depreciation	(1,851,264)	(1,759,268)
Property and equipment, net	907,905	912,114
Goodwill	9,051	0
Other intangible assets, net	103,927	113,830
Other assets	142,171	145,645
Total assets	2,993,730	2,966,093
Current liabilities:
Notes payable to banks	13	23
Trade accounts payable	154,942	167,795
Payroll and related expenses	109,833	122,234
Other accrued expenses	161,119	186,049
Income taxes	13,881	51,060
Total current liabilities	439,788	527,161
Long-term debt, less current portion	399,054	431,682
Deferred income taxes	110,356	82,043
Other liabilities	117,235	136,940
Accrued pension and other postretirement costs	319,136	291,117
Total liabilities	1,385,569	1,468,943
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Stockholders' equity:
Capital in excess of par value	2,086,925	2,156,981
(Accumulated deficit) retained earnings	(503,416)	(742,237)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	3,778	60,491
Total Vishay stockholders' equity	1,603,006	1,491,731
Noncontrolling interests	5,155	5,419
Total equity	1,608,161	1,497,150
Total liabilities and equity	2,993,730	2,966,093
Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share: authorized - 300,000,000 shares; 150,611,657 and 172,283,533 shares outstanding after deducting zero and 274,173 shares in treasury as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively	14,374	15,061
Class B Convertible Common Stock [Member]
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share: authorized - 300,000,000 shares; 150,611,657 and 172,283,533 shares outstanding after deducting zero and 274,173 shares in treasury as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively	$ 1,345	$ 1,435