Background
He grew up in agriculture, and was originally trained as a fitter for agricultural machinery.
He grew up in agriculture, and was originally trained as a fitter for agricultural machinery.
Later, he attended the technical schools in Bad Frankenhausen and Neustrelitz to study mechanical engineering and aircraft engines, and became a mechanical engineer
In 1937, he was appointed department manager at the Junkers Aircraft Works in Dessau and developed combustion engines. He was a living legend of technology. He played a decisive role in the further development of diesel engine technology.
After the war, Elsbett set up an independent factory in Salzgitter for the production of a small two-stroke diesel engine.
In 1973 Elsbett gained international recognition for the first ever serial-produced direct-injection diesel engine for cars. In 1977 Elsbett produced an engine fuelled by vegetable oil called the Elsbett-motor.
In 1980 Elsbett made the first conversion of standard diesel cars with prechamber engines to vegetable oil. In 2002 Elsbett converted the standard common-rail car engines and unit-injector truck engines to vegetable oil fuel.
There is now an Elsbett Museum in the city of Salz, Bavaria, Lower Franconia.
