1945 to 1984 Robert Maderholz produced briar pipes. His son Michael developed the first automatons for filter production in 1984. Up to now White Elephant is the only filter with highly absorbent Meerschaum granulate worldwide. Meerschaum is a magnesium silicate from the mineral group of the sepiolites, the porose structure is able to absorb large amounts of moisture like a sponge.