Cranks can be powered by hand (e.g., a winch) or foot (e.g., a bicycle pedal). 2. Key Examples & Applications
Evidence of hand-cranked rotary handmills appeared in Spain (5th Century BC) and later Greece. A 2nd-century AD Roman iron crankshaft was found in Switzerland. Cranks can be powered by hand (e
Early automobiles required a starting crank (a "starting handle") to initiate the engine, a technique still used in some specialized or historic vehicles. a winch) or foot (e.g.