diff --git a/code/game/research/destructive_analyzer.dm b/code/game/research/destructive_analyzer.dm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..2caf5e01710
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/game/research/destructive_analyzer.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+/*
+Destructive Analyzer
+
+It is used to destroy hand-held objects and advance technological research. Controls are in the linked R&D console.
+
+Note: Must be placed east/right of an R&D console to function.
+*/
+/obj/machinery/destructive_analyzer
+	name = "Destructive Analyzer"
+	//icon_state = "d_analyzer"
+	icon_state = "autolathe"
+	var/obj/item/weapon/loaded_item = null
+	var/obj/machinery/computer/rdconsole/linked_console
+	anchored = 1
+	density = 1
+
+	meteorhit()
+		del(src)
+		return
+
+	attackby(var/obj/O as obj, var/mob/user as mob)
+		if (!linked_console)
+			user << "\The protolathe must be linked to an R&D console first!"
+			return
+		if (istype(O, /obj/item/weapon) && !loaded_item)
+			if (O.origin_tech.len == 0)
+				user << "\red You cannot deconstruct this item!"
+				return
+			loaded_item = O
+			user.drop_item()
+			O.loc = src
+			user << "\blue You add the [O.name] to the machine!"
+
+		return
+
+//For testing purposes only.
+/obj/item/weapon/deconstruction_test
+	name = "Test Item"
+	desc = "WTF?"
+	icon = 'weapons.dmi'
+	icon_state = "d20"
+	g_amt = 5000
+	m_amt = 5000
+	origin_tech = list("materials" = 4, "plasmatech" = 2, "syndicate" = 5)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/game/research/protolathe.dm b/code/game/research/protolathe.dm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..f9910e4c18a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/game/research/protolathe.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,67 @@
+/*
+Protolathe
+
+Similar to an autolathe, you load glass and metal sheets (but not other objects) into it to be used as raw materials for the stuff
+it creates. All the menus and other manipulation commands are in the R&D console.
+
+Note: Must be placed west/left of and R&D console to function.
+
+*/
+/obj/machinery/protolathe
+	density = 1
+	anchored = 1.0
+	icon_state = "protolathe"
+	var/busy = 0				//
+	var/max_m_amount = 150000.0
+	var/max_g_amount = 75000.0
+	var/m_amount = 0.0
+	var/g_amount = 0.0
+	var/obj/machinery/computer/rdconsole/linked_console = null
+
+/obj/machinery/protolathe/attackby(var/obj/item/O as obj, var/mob/user as mob)
+	if (!linked_console)
+		user << "\The protolathe must be linked to an R&D console first!"
+		return 1
+	if (!istype(O, /obj/item/stack))
+		user << "\red You cannot insert this item into the protolathe!"
+		return 1
+	if (stat)
+		return 1
+	if (busy)
+		user << "\red The protolathe is busy. Please wait for completion of previous operation."
+		return 1
+	if (src.m_amount + O.m_amt > max_m_amount)
+		user << "\red The protolathe is full. Please remove metal from the protolathe in order to insert more."
+		return 1
+	if (src.g_amount + O.g_amt > max_g_amount)
+		user << "\red The protolathe is full. Please remove glass from the protolathe in order to insert more."
+		return 1
+	if (O.m_amt == 0 && O.g_amt == 0)
+		user << "\red This object does not contain significant amounts of metal or glass, or cannot be accepted by the protolathe due to size or hazardous materials."
+		return 1
+
+	var/amount = 1
+	var/obj/item/stack/stack
+	var/m_amt = O.m_amt
+	var/g_amt = O.g_amt
+	stack = O
+	amount = stack.amount
+	if (m_amt)
+		amount = min(amount, round((max_m_amount-src.m_amount)/m_amt))
+		flick("protolathe_o",src)//plays metal insertion animation
+	if (g_amt)
+		amount = min(amount, round((max_g_amount-src.g_amount)/g_amt))
+		flick("protolathe_r",src)//plays glass insertion animation
+	stack.use(amount)
+	icon_state = "protolathe"
+	busy = 1
+	use_power(max(1000, (m_amt+g_amt)*amount/10))
+	spawn(16)
+		icon_state = "protolathe"
+		flick("protolathe_o",src)
+		src.m_amount += m_amt * amount
+		src.g_amount += g_amt * amount
+		if (O && O.loc == src)
+			del(O)
+		busy = 0
+		src.updateUsrDialog()
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/code/game/research/rd-readme.dm b/code/game/research/rd-readme.dm
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..1539eed1530
--- /dev/null
+++ b/code/game/research/rd-readme.dm
@@ -0,0 +1,29 @@
+/*
+Research and Development System. (Designed specifically for the /tg/station 13 (Space Station 13) open source project)
+
+///////////////Overview///////////////////
+This system is a "tech tree" research and development system designed for SS13. It allows a "researcher" job (this document assumes
+the "scientist" job is given this role) the tools necessiary to research new and better technologies. In general, the system works
+by breaking existing technology and using what you learn from to advance your knowledge of SCIENCE! As your knowledge progresses,
+you can build newer (and better?) devices (which you can also, eventually, deconstruct to advance your knowledge).
+
+A brief overview is below. For more details, see the related files.
+
+////////////Game Use/////////////
+The major research and development is performed using a combination of four machines:
+- R&D Console: A computer console that allows you to manipulate the other devices that are linked to it and view/manipulate the
+technologies you have researched so far.
+- Protolathe: Used to make new hand-held devices and parts for larger devices. Uses metal and glass as raw materials.
+- Destructive Analyzer: You can put hand-held objects into it and it'll analyze them for technological advancements but it destroys
+them in the process. Destroyed items will send their raw materials to a linked Protolathe (if any)
+- Circuit Imprinter: Similar to the Protolathe, it allows for the construction of circuit boards. Uses glass and acid as the raw
+materials.
+
+While researching you are dealing with two different types of information: Technology Paths and Device Designs. Technology Paths
+are the "Tech Trees" of the game. You start out with a number of them at the game start and they are improved by using the
+Destructive Analyzer. By themselves, they don't do a whole lot. However, they unlock Device Designs. This is the information used
+by the circuit imprinter and the protolathe to produce objects. It also tracks the current reliability of that particular design.
+
+MORE STUFF HERE LATER.
+
+*/
\ No newline at end of file