What did the world look like before "gearwrench" type ratchet and box wrenches. Well, there were the old bulky and coarse laminate box wrenches, but they were not very handy, nor fast in certain "tight spot" situations.
Here is a set of early 70's Snap-on "Speed Wrenches". Although they don't look anything near "speedy", with a lot of practice, these things could zip off a fastener in short order. This set was sold for many years. I still prefer them to the bulky laminates, and in certain situations, to my Gearwrench sets as well.
Many "Oldtimers" will remember these things fondly. I don't see them that often on e-bay, so I'm not sure whether they are collectible, or just relegated to niche status by tool collectors.