Domino, from the Latin domino meaning “little king,” is one of the oldest and most versatile gaming devices. A cousin to playing cards, the elongated rectangular blocks are marked with pips that represent the results of throwing two six-sided dice. Dominoes are used to play games of skill and chance, as well as to create intricate displays. Today, the domino effect is most often seen in a chain reaction of one object knocking over another, but this Wonder of the Day explores other ways the small stones have a big impact.
The story of the domino starts in China around the 13th century. Early Chinese dominoes were similar to playing cards, and it’s thought that the European version of the game developed in the 1300s after the introduction of the Chinese ones.
Whether they’re used to play games or arranged in an artistic display, dominoes are an impressive sight. A domino is a flat, rectangular block that’s made of rigid material like wood or plastic. It has a number of grooves that run along the face and sides that make it easy to grip. The pips are often colored or painted to add color and texture. The markings are also useful to distinguish different types of dominoes.
When a player places a domino edge to edge with another, it triggers the domino effect. The second domino must be a match for the first, either identical to it or able to form a specific total value. Then the players take turns playing their dominoes.
Hevesh started collecting dominoes when she was 10, and by age 20, she’d become a professional domino artist with more than 2 million YouTube subscribers. Hevesh has created amazing domino installations for movies, TV shows, and events, including an album launch for Katy Perry. Her largest setups can take several nail-biting minutes to fall. But before Hevesh’s dominoes are set in motion, she tests each section by laying them out separately and filming them. This allows her to make precise corrections in the domino design if it doesn’t work properly.
Similarly, when you’re editing a manuscript, it’s helpful to think of each scene as a domino. If you look at your scene list and step back, it should be clear to see how each scene logically connects with the next. If you find a scene that doesn’t flow or hit the emotional beats your manuscript needs, it can be easily moved to a later spot in the book.
Domino’s has a strong foundation in place to support its business goals. CEO Steve Doyle has worked to improve the company’s culture by listening to employees and implementing changes that promote a positive workplace. He’s also embraced innovation, such as an online ordering system and a new pizza-delivery vehicle. The company is a top-rated employer, and it’s clear that Doyle has stayed true to Domino’s core values.