Domino is a generic term for a set of small, thumb-sized rectangular blocks, each bearing from one to six pips or dots: 28 dominoes form a complete set. These tiles are used in a wide variety of games played by matching the ends of adjacent pieces and placing them in lines or angular patterns.
Domino sets are available in a number of different natural materials and in synthetic materials, including plastics. Traditional European dominoes are made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother-of-pearl or MOP), ivory, or dark hardwood such as ebony, with black or white pips inlaid or painted on them. Some modern sets use a mix of natural and synthetic materials for a more novel look and feel.
The most common use of domino is to play a game, but they can also be arranged in designs for visual impact. This domino art can be very simple – a line of dominoes forming the letters “GOOD MORNING” – or quite elaborate, with curved lines, grids that form pictures when the dominoes fall, stacked walls, and 3-D structures like pyramids. The goal of this type of domino art is to create a structure that can stand up under its own weight without falling over, and this requires careful planning and calculations.
When Hevesh first plans a domino installation, she starts by considering a theme or purpose. She brainstorms images or words that might go with the design, then sketches it out on paper. Then she works out the arrows that will guide the dominoes to where they need to be. To ensure the finished product will work properly, Hevesh often builds a prototype of each section. She films it in slow motion so she can see if the dominoes are moving as they should be and make adjustments if needed.
Once Hevesh has a prototype that she knows will work, she begins laying the dominoes in their final positions. She always tests the setup with one or two of the largest sections. This allows her to catch any issues before they become too serious, and it also gives her an opportunity to practice letting them fall according to the laws of physics.
For Hevesh, the most important domino principle is that every domino must have a matching end to its neighbor, or it will not fall. She also pays special attention to the way in which a domino is played onto a double, as this can dramatically affect how easily it will topple.
In the early 2000s, Domino’s was struggling to maintain its market share in the pizza industry, and its customer satisfaction score had begun to drop. Under the leadership of David Brandon, Domino’s began focusing on improving recipes and expanding its menu, but it also realized it had to address its overall business model. This meant addressing its logistical challenges, such as the need for efficient delivery and timely service. As a result, Domino’s introduced new trucks and partnered with Amazon to offer home delivery.