There are lots of “proprietary” screwdriver bits, that aren’t really “proprietary”, they’re just a weird standard, designed years ago, before there was much in the way of a “Universal Standard” for screwdriver bits.
Many of these “Weird Standards” are used by multiple manufacturers, and still in production.
While 1/4” hex shank buts are common in the USA, there are still variations, such as “Insert Bits” with the small tiny groove, and “quick change bits” with the much larger round groove for a ball bearing lock (and If I’m not mistaken, there are at least two or more standards for this system with different dimensions).
In addition, there are “Long Shank 1/4” screwdriver blades” used in products like the Facom, and Craftsman, and USAG screwdrivers, as well as some Japanese made screwdrivers.
There are also the “Multi Bit 6 in 1” screwdrivers, with double ended bits with the ball lock mounted in the bits, which GJ members seem to love.
In Europe, hex shank multiblade screwdrivers were common, but 6mm and 4mm shanks seem to have been the standard, and Wiha, Wera, and some other manufacturers still make the screwdrivers and blades, as did Facom in the past, and some Japanese manufacturers.
4mm hex still seems to be a common standard for smaller screwdriver bits.
Even before hex shank bits became standard, there were other standard interchangeable screwdriver blade systems, such as the Yankee (Stanley) bits, which came in three standard blade shank diameters, and which may still be in production. (Although not by Stanley).
Goodell-Pratt had the Mr Punch, spiral screwdriver drill system, which used a standard but different bit type to the Stanley/Yankee drivers.
There are also multiple screwdriver designs that use flags or tabs pressed out of the driver shank for interchangeable bits, but these aren’t always interchangeable amongst each other, such as Excelite and PB Swiss.
There are also small screwdrivers, such as the Moody precision screwdrivers, that have their own interchangeable designs. (I think Moody actually has two separate systems), and one of these systems may be used by other precision screwdriver manufacturers like Starrett, although I’ve never checked.
While I would prefer it if larger screwdrivers had a holder for 1/4” insert bits, it is still not common, and there are plenty of reasons for this.
Some of the other screwdriver systems work better, either for carrying more bits in the same space, or for use in certain areas, such as deep screws in electronics, were even a 1/4” hex blade won’t fit (but a 6mm hex blade will).
24mm shallow impact because I didn't have one, or a 6pt 24mm socket. I have 12pt chrome ones, but I'm not the biggest fan of 12s as a general rule (despite them having worked just fine for many years).
