I've only tried this with version 1.09eu so it may not work with earlier versions. To increase your technology levels quickly and really play like a god, hit event 49 (deflation) at least 5 or 6 times and then use the normal increase Technology codes (Gustavus, Drake, Cromwell, Polo). Each use of it should increase your technology level by 1 FULL step if you have decreased your inflation enough. Also found that you can actually make money upgrading with manufactories with the deflation set to a negative amount.

Also event 57 is the fortification effort, not event 55, and it only works on your core provinces, the ones with the country's shield on the political map.