The Domino Effect – How Domino Setups Can Create Spectacular Events
Domino is a game that involves the laying of flat, thumbsized blocks that bear from one to six pips or dots. Traditionally, players place them edge to edge in a line or in angular patterns. When the first domino falls, it transmits its potential energy to the next piece, which receives a push and starts the chain reaction that eventually topples the entire row of pieces.
This is known as the Domino Effect: something small can trigger a much larger, more significant event—like the collapse of a large building or a car crash. It’s also the basis for how a series of dominoes can be set up to produce elaborate, spectacular displays or reactions, such as when builders compete in domino shows to see who can create the most impressive setups before an audience of spectators.
Hevesh has been creating mind-blowing domino art for more than a decade and follows what she describes as her own version of an engineering-design process to create the setups. She starts by considering a theme or purpose for an installation. Then, she brainstorms images or words that might be used to represent those themes or messages. After that, she considers the materials she will use and determines how many dominoes she needs to achieve her goals.
Dominoes were first recorded in the mid-18th century in Italy and France and later introduced to England by French prisoners toward the end of that same period. The word domino is believed to have originated from an earlier sense of the word “domino,” meaning a long, hooded cloak worn together with a mask at carnival season or at a masquerade. The name may have been inspired by the contrast of ebony blacks and ivory faces on the domino pieces, which recall the garment.
The basic rules of domino are simple: two players start with a full set of 28 tiles, called the stock or boneyard, and draw seven of them from the bones to begin play. The players then put the remaining tiles in front of them, face down, to form their “domino deck.”
When a player plays a domino, they must match the value on the domino with that of an opponent’s tile and knock it over before they can continue playing. The game continues until either one player has played all of their dominoes or both cannot play any more, at which point they are declared winners.
Domino’s success is based on its understanding that customers want to get pizza quickly. To do this, it focuses on the right locations and takes advantage of technology. For example, half of Domino’s employees are focused on software analytics, which helps the company optimize its operations to ensure that it is delivering on its promise of fast, convenient pizza.
This is not an easy feat. For example, it can be difficult to deliver pizzas on time if the driver isn’t able to find an address or if there is traffic. This is why it makes sense for Domino to focus on the right locations and to offer delivery, which is especially popular with college students. It’s also why it has invested so heavily in new technology that allows customers to order pizza by text, app or voice assistant — like Alexa and Google Assistant.