I remember manual chokes. All the way out when starting very cold, then gradually push the knob in as the engine warmed up.
In fact one of our somewhat elderly Ferguson petrol tractors, which we rally and display at country shows, has a manual choke. Also, complete with a crash (non-synchro) gearbox – meaning ‘double-de-clutching’ if you can remember that as well. Fortunately, I can’t drive it with a prosthetic left leg! Hence, I usually take the slightly more modern automatic diesel Foden on rallies etc.