I think it is. The actual process of comprehending a crankshaft uses conscious thought as a conduit to transfer the idea into memory. However, I think lotsofma

I think it is. The actual process of comprehending a crankshaft uses conscious thought as a conduit to transfer the idea into memory. However, I think lotsofmangos in the Feynman quote was referring to the process of visualizing a crankshaft, which is most definitely conscious thought. Visualization is often not language in the mind.