Steam-engine time

One of those silly questions - who actually invented the saying about "steam engine time", and when exactly was that time - I'm assuming the late 18th / early 19th century but is there a generally agreed date?

Later

Never mind, it was apparently Charles Fort, and he wasn't making quite the argument I thought he was.

Any suggestions for an alternative "invented simultaneously in two or three places" gizmo of the 19th century?

Mxyzptlk

Another silly question - am I right to think that in comics it was Mr. Mxyzptlk who patented the alphabet in one story? If so, anyone know which comic and issue?