Domino is a set of rectangular blocks with matching dots (also known as pips). A domino is distinguished from other rectangular tiles by its line in the middle to divide it visually into squares. Its value is determined by the number of pips on each side. A domino can also be designated by its suit, which is defined by the colors of its pips.
Dominoes have been used for thousands of years as a means of entertainment and education, both alone and in groups. They can be played with dice or cards, as well as with other dominoes. Traditionally, a domino is placed with one end touching another in order to create a chain reaction whereby each domino knocks over the next until all are fallen.
In the world of dominoes, there are two main types of games: blocking and scoring. Blocking games require that adjacent dominoes match in both shape and color; for example, a single-six domino must be matched with a double-six. Scored games involve a higher total, and are more complex. There are many different rules for different games, and a domino set can contain any number of matching pieces.
Hevesh, a 20-year-old professional domino artist who has over 2 million YouTube subscribers, creates mind-blowing domino setups for movies, TV shows, and events, including an album launch for Katy Perry. Some of her largest installations take several nail-biting minutes to fall, and they’re usually made with hundreds of thousands of dominoes. She uses a version of the engineering-design process to plan each installation, and she starts by considering a theme or purpose.
The word domino comes from a Latin phrase, dominium, meaning “heavy,” referring to its physical size and weight. The word was first recorded in English around 1750, but the game itself may have an even older origin. The earliest sense of the word was that it denoted a long hooded cloak worn in conjunction with a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade. The combination of the hood with the black and white striped domino pieces may have inspired the name.
Domino’s Pizza CEO and chairman Don Meij was featured on the hit CBS television series Undercover Boss. In the show, Meij works undercover at a franchise to learn how the company’s employees operate the business and interact with customers. He was particularly impressed by the way Domino’s listens to customer feedback and addresses complaints, which is a key part of their leadership culture. The company has since implemented many new changes, such as a relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs for its employees. In addition, they’ve worked to streamline their delivery system and have even experimented with using drones to deliver pizza. The company also recently announced that they’ve integrated their ordering app with Apple CarPlay, which will allow customers to order pizza from their cars. This is a great way to capitalize on the growing trend of connected cars.