Two types. Brace — for large holes (10-40 mm). Geared hand drill (eggbeater) — for small (1-8 mm).
Brace
U-shaped handle rotates the bit. Slow but with enormous torque. Amish carpenter drills a 30 mm hole in oak in 2 minutes. Slower than electric? Yes. But he's not hunting for an outlet, charging batteries, or waiting for a neighbor's generator.
The Trick
Amish carpenters use Forstner bits — clean hole with flat bottom. Patented 1874. Works perfectly in a brace. Electric drill spins too fast — wood burns.