Mechanical advantages can be achieved through the use of a cap piece which is used to push down on the drill. To keep the drill spinning with one hand, a bowstring is wrapped around the drill and moved back and forth, spinning the drill. These methods probably evolved where conditions made fire making difficult. The last of these is the best known, but was probably not common until iron became available. Modern matches use materials which ignite easily with little friction heat.
Lighters use miniature flint and steel sets to light their gas fumes.
Three new ways to make fire have been developed in recent years - electric spark, electric resistance, and chemical resistance. Questions Answered about making fire.