I have used center bits on occasion, and have more than a couple
sets worth.  Just got another, in fact. The ones I have range from
1/4 tp 1 1/2 inches.

They were reinvented around the '60s as "high speed bits" for
electric drills, incidentally.

I find them very useful.  I'm glad I didn't read about their use
before working with them.  One pundit assured his readers that
center bits don't work in end grain.  They do, exceptionally well.
One of my favorite uses for them is drilling out broken dowels in
old furniture when making repairs.  They're my first choice for
this job.

Peugeot hand tools was still making center bits (metric) in the
1980s.

Mike in Sacto