Domino is a flat, thumbsized block of wood or another material bearing from one to six dots, each of which corresponds with the numbers on a dice. It is used as an element in various games of chance or skill. It is also a symbol of family and community.
Dominos, the company, began in the mid-1960s with founder Tom Monaghan opening a pizzeria in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Its growth was rapid, and by the end of the decade the brand had over 200 locations. However, the pizzas were often criticized for their lackluster flavor. The complaints grew louder and more frequent, and finally reached Domino’s headquarters. Instead of ignoring the complaints, Monaghan did something remarkable. He ran a national advertisement featuring all of the negative comments, and pledged to do better. This was an unprecedented move by a corporation, and it was a huge success. The pizzas improved, and the brand was revitalized.
The word domino is derived from the Latin dominus, meaning “lord, master,” and appears to have come into English shortly after 1750. Its earlier sense denoted a hooded cloak worn together with a mask at carnival season or at a masquerade. It may also have been inspired by a black Domino piece contrasting with the white surplice of a priest.
Various games of domino use the pieces in different ways, but most involve emptying one’s hand while blocking opponents from play. Some of the most popular games include bergen and muggins, in which players score based on the number of multiples of five in their opponent’s hands. Other games determine points by counting the pips on a domino, or the number of blanks in it. These and many other types of domino games are a fun way to build math skills, as well as social skills.
Some sets of dominoes are made from natural materials, such as bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or a dark hardwood such as ebony. These sets have a unique look, but they are more expensive than those manufactured from polymers.
As a child, Lily Hevesh loved playing with her grandparents’ classic 28-pack of dominoes. She enjoyed setting them up in a line and flicking the first one, which caused the whole row to fall. Hevesh now builds mind-blowing domino setups for exhibition and competition. She follows a version of the engineering-design process, examining the purpose and theme of an installation before designing it.
Each domino has potential energy, which it stores by not moving. Once the first domino falls, that energy converts to kinetic energy, which is the force that propels the next domino. This process continues until all the dominoes have fallen, and it is possible to design an elaborate structure — like a 15-color spiral — from just 12,000 dominoes. In addition to creating structures, Hevesh also explores the properties of each individual domino, and how they interact. She shares her thoughts on this in a TED Talk.