Dominoes are a favorite childhood game for many people. Some like to line them up in long rows and then knock them down. Others enjoy putting them together into more elaborate structures, such as towers and pyramids. But did you know that dominoes can do more than just fall down one after another? Today’s Wonder of the Day explores how dominoes can also create art and even be used for scientific experiments.
The word domino comes from the Latin phrase dominum, meaning “heavy thing” or “one who rules.” While the game of dominoes was invented in the 1870s, the term for the game was first used in English around 1750. It is possible that the word had an earlier sense as a type of hooded cloak worn with a mask during carnival season or at masquerades. Domino pieces are made with ebony blacks and ivory faces, which may have evoked the image of a priest’s domino contrasting with his white surplice.
Although a 28-piece set is sufficient for most games, some sets are “extended” by adding more ends with varying numbers of dots. These larger sets allow for more unique combinations of pieces and thus more possibilities for games. The most common extended sets include double-nine (55 tiles), double-12, and double-18.
Artist Lily Hevesh has taken dominoes to a whole new level with her mind-blowing installations. Hevesh uses a version of the engineering design process to create these displays, starting with the big picture and then breaking it down into smaller sections. She tests each section to make sure it works before putting it together. Hevesh’s work shows that the forces that affect how dominoes fall are complex and varied.
A domino is a small, flat rectangular block with a face that is either blank or patterned with one to six pips or dots. A complete set of dominoes contains 28 such pieces. Dominoes are also sometimes called bones, men, tiles, or spinners.
Domino’s Pizza grew rapidly after its inception in 1967 with the opening of its first franchise location in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The company’s founder, Tom Monaghan, was careful to place the pizzerias near college campuses, knowing that young adults would be eager to try a fast food option different from the typical diner fare of the time. This strategy helped the company thrive and led to growth of more than 200 stores by 1978.
The company continues to thrive today with a focus on innovation, including a new delivery service that allows customers to order online and receive their pizza in about 30 minutes or less. The company’s success has been attributed to effective leadership, strategic planning, and a strong commitment to customer service. This leadership philosophy is often referred to as the Domino Effect. In addition to Domino’s commitment to customer satisfaction, they have also focused on their supply chain and have invested in training their employees. This has allowed them to deliver consistent quality and speed for their loyal customers.