A mod for Factorio

Adds a new item, the Research Desk, which allows the player to manually research technologies. Requires no power, but the player must stand at the desk.

Most of the early-game items, which were previously available at startup, have moved into the tech tree. Since power is no longer required for early research, these new technologies may be hand-researched by using the desk like a Lab.

Your Research Desk does not have restrictions on which science packs can be used, allowing manual research all the way into end game (if you are weird enough to wish to do that). Since it's just a desk, no Modules can be used.

Manual research is faster than Lab research (you are smart!), but this method is not extensible since a player must stand at the desk. Players may not share desks (research speed is not increased if multiple players are there), but multiple desks may be built. Bring your friends along for an army of manual researchers!