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I have seen claims that the steel pan (commonly called steel drum) was the only acoustic instrument developed in the 20th century. Is this true? There are related instruments (the Hang or hand pan) but I'm interested in the history of unique musical instruments that are more than experimental musical instruments. I'm trying to find sources to support or refute these claims, but I cannot seem to find anything definitive.

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Now that would be interesting to know. My first guess was Harmonica, but it's from 19th century. A fine question, I'm just retagging it a bit. Good that you provide the current state of your research with related instruments, but adding some links to external sources which could guide others to expand their knowledge (f.e. to descriptions or history of mentioned instruments) would be also nice for the future. Welcome to the site! – Darek Wędrychowski Feb 16 at 16:49
What's your definition of acoustic instrument? E.g. Hammond organs contain also mechanical parts to create the sound. – knut Feb 16 at 18:32
... and what is your definition of "widely"? Is the steelpan really widely used? The wiki also states that it was developed between 1880 and 1937. – coleopterist Feb 16 at 19:26
@knut, I'm not the one asking the question, but probably everything in this system, excluding electrophones. – Nathan Cooper Feb 16 at 19:39
We the music.stackexchange.com guys complain this question ended up here? – Nathan Cooper Feb 16 at 19:45
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2 Answers

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I guess the Sousaphone just barely doesn't make it. It was first created in either 1893 or 1898, depending on who you believe.

The Mellophone, a common marching band instrument, was first sold in 1957.

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Theremins are not acoustic instruments. – coleopterist Feb 16 at 19:27
Well, yes....but its so cool! :-( – T.E.D.♦ Feb 16 at 19:35
+1 Mellophone, I like that one, looks like a Flugal to me but apparently it's different (plays a bit more like an F horn). And yes the Theremin is cool. – Nathan Cooper Feb 16 at 19:37
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Vuvuzela and the Melodica spring to mind.

Plastic aerophones like the Vuvuzela have been around since the 1960's, obviously similar looking brass instruments have been around for a long time, but specifically Vuvuzelas meet your criteria. They're a bit of a gimmic, but were very popular at the 2010 World Cup and have seen widespread use. More

Melodica's were invented in the 1950s. You see them all over the place. They're not Zanzithophones, they are acoustic. Here is one at work, okay fine here's one at work

The modern Double French Horn either just misses it with the first prototype being made in 1897, or just sneaks in with Fritz Kruspe patenting it in 1900. But it is not a radically new instrument compared to older horns, it just combined the Bb horn and F horn together into one instrument with some clever plumbing.

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Can't we all pretend that vuvuzela thing never happened? :-) – T.E.D.♦ Feb 16 at 19:37
@T.E.D. - vuvuzela.ytmnd.com, banthevuvuzela.blogspot.com, this, and this. Entire world is on your side! – DVK Feb 17 at 2:01
-1, after being subjected to "Barbie Girl" after following the link :) – DVK Feb 17 at 2:11
"Demand for earplugs ... during the World Cup outstripped supply" Yep, sounds about right. – Nathan Cooper Feb 17 at 10:31

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