Domino is a word that can inspire awe—or a sense of indifference. From the Latin dominus, meaning “lord,” the name has long embodied a masterful and cautious demeanor. This is a fitting characterization, since the name Domino can refer to an individual who understands the effects of their actions and makes decisions accordingly.
The word can also describe an event or circumstance that initiates a chain reaction that affects the whole, whether it be a game of dominoes or the fall of a city. It can even be used to describe the effects of a computer program that allows users to access packet payloads without revealing their identity.
When a domino is toppled, the force of gravity causes other pieces to topple in a sequence, and the sequence continues until all the pieces are knocked over. This is just like the way nerve impulses travel through the brain and cause the body to react. The sequence is controlled by the firing rate of neurons, which is a function of the strength of the trigger signal.
Hevesh uses physics to create her mind-blowing domino installations, and she says one physical phenomenon is essential for success: gravity. A domino has a large amount of potential energy, which is converted to kinetic energy as it falls. This energy is transmitted to the next domino, providing a push that knocks it over. This is why it’s important to set up a dominoes installation in a way that gravity will work in your favor.
To prepare for a project, Hevesh tests out small sections of the dominoes to ensure they will work as intended. Then she starts putting them together, working her way up to the largest 3-D sections. She then adds flat arrangements and finally lines of dominoes that connect all the different pieces. Hevesh makes sure each section is perfect before moving on to the next, and she films her tests in slow motion so she can see exactly how each domino falls.
There are many games that can be played with dominoes, ranging from simple blocking or scoring games to complex chain reactions such as Mexican train or bergen. Most domino games involve laying tiles so that their ends touch, either showing the same number or having a number that is divisible by a given number. There are also special domino sets with more specialized play formats.
While dominoes are traditionally made of bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory, or a dark hardwood such as ebony, they can also be made of stone; other types of wood; metals; ceramic clay; or even frosted glass. These sets can be found in specialty stores, and they offer a unique look and feel. They are more expensive than standard domino sets, but the extra weight gives them a feeling of substance. Increasingly, dominoes are also being made from plastics that have the same appearance and performance as traditional sets.