Other Comprehensive Earnings (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Foreign currency translation adjustments [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax									$ (131,420)	$ 2,242	$ 38,521
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax									(19,523)	2,494	359
Total foreign currency translation, net of tax									(150,943)	4,736	38,880
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, before Tax									(70,705)	182,092	(70,642)
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax									20,994	(63,585)	23,632
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of tax									(49,711)	118,507	(47,010)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, before Tax									(375)	(75)	195
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax									131	26	(70)
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax									(244)	(49)	125
Other Comprehensive Income Other Adjustment Net Of Tax [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Adjustment Before Tax									1,067	(642)	692
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Other Adjustment Tax									(128)	77	(83)
Other comprehensive income loss other adjustment, net of tax									939	(565)	609
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax									(201,433)	183,617	(31,234)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax									1,474	(60,988)	23,838
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax									(199,959)	122,629	(7,396)
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Net earnings	169,294	231,844	213,959	160,138	193,963	269,114	330,049	210,003	775,235	1,003,129	811,070
Other comprehensive (loss) earnings, net of tax									(199,959)	122,629	(7,396)
Comprehensive earnings									575,276	1,125,758	803,674
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(14,884)				170,609				(14,884)	170,609
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax	(147,237)				(105,381)				(147,237)	(105,381)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	3,190				2,495				3,190	2,495
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	(158,931)				67,723				(158,931)	67,723
Other Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amortization of actual losses									8,822	19,250	12,673
Amortization of prior service costs									8,556	8,834	8,174
Total amortization before tax									17,378	28,084	20,847
Tax provision on amortization									(5,969)	(9,809)	(7,013)
Total amortization, net of tax									11,409	18,275	13,834
Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment From AOCI Derivatives Net of Tax [Abstract]
Net (gains) losses reclassified into earnings									(164)	(130)	(549)
Tax benefit on gains reclassified into earnings									57	46	192
Net (gains) losses reclassified into earnings, net of tax									(107)	(84)	(357)
Knowles [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax					$ (7,855)					$ (7,855)