The instrument you are describing is likely the saxophone, which was patented in 1846 by Adolphe Sax. The saxophone is a woodwind instrument that features a single-reed mouthpiece and a conical metal body. It is played by blowing into the mouthpiece and pressing keys to control the pitch of the sound. The saxophone is known for its versatility and has been used in a variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, and popular music. It is often used to replace oboes and bassoons in outdoor band music due to its ability to project sound over long distances.