Simple name, valuable niche
“Steel handpan” describes exactly what buyers, players, teachers, repairers, importers and makers are searching for.
From Hang® to handpan
The original Hang® was developed by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer of PANArt in Bern, Switzerland. Its form was inspired by the steelpan tradition, but the result was something new: two steel shells joined into a resonant, UFO-like sound sculpture played directly with the hands.
Because Hang® is PANArt’s name and registered mark, the wider family of similar instruments became known internationally as handpans, pantams or sound sculptures.
1990s
PANArt develops specialist steel work around Pang® material and steel sound sculpture.
2000
The Hang® is created in Bern, Switzerland, by Felix Rohner and Sabina Schärer.
2001
The instrument is introduced publicly and starts to attract international attention.
Today
Hundreds of makers, players, teachers and retailers support a mature worldwide handpan ecosystem.