There are 3 categories of these time-saving items - Speed-Ups, Building Speed-Ups, and Research Speed-Ups. They are stored in the Archive after you’ve constructed one on your base.
 
Speed-Ups work on anything in DomiNations that takes time - from building, to research, to forest clearing, to expeditions.
 
Building Speed Ups help you to construct new buildings faster. They work with the following buildings:
  • Any Building constructed from the Store
  • Any Building upgrade on your base
  • Forest clearing
Research Speed Ups help develop the tech of your civilization They work in the following areas:
  • Armory Research
  • Library Research
  • University Research