How did the controls work for variable-pitch props? Variable-pitch propellers date way back to the 1930's and even earlier. I would like to know, what kind of controls they used? Some kind of lever or crank? How heavy were these controls? I'm thinking of the drag the propeller has, since even near landing, the prop could be spinning very fast and would be resistant to changing it's pitch.

I'm interested in the old days, before modern electrical control by wire.

Note: I am not asking how the variable-pitch mechanisms work. I might ask that in a separate question.
Control by wire? As in electrically?  

Many of the small planes like Cessna Cardinal use an engine like Lycoming O-360 (4 cylinder) use a spring to return the blades to a flat pitch, and engine oil pressure to change the blade pitch. The control knob in the cockpit mechanically allows the oil pressure to change the pitch.  In other small planes, like a Bonanza, there is a set of counterweights instead of a spring to accomplish the same. No electric control at all.