Are all instant start FL lamps single pin (slimline), or are/were there bi-pin versions? USA or Europe only? Did instant start come before or after rapid-start? Thanks.

The most commonly used instant start systems in the US are single pin F96T12/T8 tubes, and F32T8 bi-pin lamps, so yes, to answer your question without going too much into detail there are instant start bi-pin lamps!

F32T8's were supposed to be rapid start lamps just like F40T12's. They were originally used on rapid start magnetic ballasts. The instant start electronic ballast just happened to become popular with F32T8's.