Domino is a game of matching tiles that have identical numbers of dots or form a specific total. The name comes from the Italian word domina, meaning “large” or “smooth.” The earliest known game was invented in China in the 12th or 13th century and was functionally similar to playing cards. It was later introduced to Europe by the French. The first Western domino games were based on block and draw, in which players placed a tile edge to edge against another in such a way that their adjacent faces added up to some specified number. This allowed the game to be played around religious prohibitions against gambling with cards.
In modern times, Domino has been expanded to include all sorts of creative constructions and effects that show off the ability of the tiles to knock over other pieces in a neat, rhythmic cascade. Creating these designs often involves careful planning, with the builder setting up hundreds or thousands of dominoes and arranging them so that each one will fall with a gentle nudge from the last. These types of creations are often displayed in domino shows, where builders compete to create the most impressive chain reaction.
The domino effect is much more powerful than we might think. A 1983 study by University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead demonstrated that a single domino can knock over objects about one-and-a-half times its size. To prove this, he set up a large row of dominoes on a flat surface and pushed the very center of one with his finger. The whole row fell in a cascade of movement that was spectacular to watch.
Domino Pizza
Domino’s pizza-delivery system was the brainchild of company founder Tom Monaghan, who was tired of his customers waiting for their takeout pizza to be delivered by an untrained driver who would often ignore traffic laws in a hurry to get the order to them as quickly as possible. Monaghan was also an excellent marketer and recognized that he could increase sales significantly by promising pizza delivery within 30 minutes or less.
Since then, Domino has become one of the world’s largest pizza chains with more than 12,500 stores in 80 countries and a share price that’s often a target for late-night comedy routines and CNBC pundits. The chain has been implementing new technology and developing cutting-edge systems designed to revolutionize the food-delivery industry.
For example, the company recently announced a project called Domino’s Innovation Garage, a space for teams to develop, build and test ideas designed to take the chain to the next level. This effort is part of a larger initiative to modernize the Domino’s brand image and make it more appealing to consumers. It’s an effort that might help the company compete with the growing popularity of 3rd party delivery services that are now making it easy for people to enjoy Domino’s pizza at home without having to go to a restaurant.