Everything is bigger in America, I'm sure, but a portable electric or hand crank is much the same size. The 201 was one of the top models, it probably wasn't a cost issue for the buyer. Motors and light became much more affordable around 1930 too. I'm guessing a lot of factors played in, and at the time a lot were used to hand cranks and knew what they chose.
I have only test sewed with hand cranks, I did not find it difficult it went a long very nicely, perfectly even seams, but I know there are advantages to holding pieces and seams together with two hands, and control the stitching with a pedal or knee lever. There are a few I know who keep a hand crank for particular jobs, the swear to them (one has a 28, another a 99). Topstitching and buttonholer being two of them.
Last edited by Mickey2; 08-09-2017 at 08:03 AM.