Where there any other versions of the oboe before it was invented?

Yes, before the modern Oboe was developed in the early 18th century, there were several predecessor instruments. The most notable were the shawm, a double-reed woodwind instrument used in medieval and Renaissance music, and the dulzaina, a Spanish variant. These instruments laid the groundwork for the oboe's design and sound characteristics, influencing its evolution into the instrument we know today.