The steelpan (or steel drum) is the only major musical instrument invented in the 20th century. It originated in Trinidad after colonial authorities banned African percussion drums. Resourceful musicians began using discarded 55-gallon oil barrels left behind by the oil industry. They would hammer the top of the barrel into a concave shape and then create small, precisely tuned indentations, each representing a different note. The instrument is played with rubber-tipped mallets. A full steel band consists of various sizes, from the high-pitched 'tenor' pans to the deep 'bass' pans made from full-sized barrels. It is a symbol of resistance and creativity, turning industrial waste into a sophisticated melodic instrument. Steelpan music is the heartbeat of the Caribbean Carnival and is now studied in universities worldwide.