» This page is about the torture device. For the fastener, see Thumbscrew (fastener). The thumbscrew or pilliwinks is an instrument of torture which was used in medieval Europe. It is a simple vise, sometimes with protruding studs on the interior surfaces. The victim's thumbs or fingers were placed in the vise and slowly crushed. The thumbscrew was also applied to crush prisoners' toes, while larger, heavier devices based on the same design principle were applied to destroy knees and elbows. Th… (More on Thumbscrew)