Long ferret speeder

[Northwoods]

Came home with a Snap-on 3/8" Ferret speed handle from 1940. 
Model F 4 C.  It's 36" long.

I see that they are no longer in production.  What would have been their application in 1940, do you suppose--and what about today?

[mrbill]

... What would have been their application in 1940, do you suppose--and what about today?

Aviation or marine applications with many bolt heads in tight places?

[coolford]

I have one of those and Snapmom told me it was for transmission pan bolts.