Dominos are an iconic symbol of American culture—they’re as familiar as the Star Spangled Banner and “American Idol.” And while the term “domino” may sound simple, there’s actually a lot that goes into creating these flat, thumb-sized blocks of wood. A domino is not just a game; it’s an example of the “domino effect,” which states that when one behavior changes, it can trigger shifts in related behaviors as well. This concept applies to many aspects of life, from writing a book to exercising daily. Changing just one behavior can have a ripple effect on other areas, like your diet and relationships. To help you create your own domino effect, read on to learn more about the science behind this phenomenon, and find out how to build a better you!
The Word Domino: How It Came to Be
The first dominos were made from hardwood, and they were painted in black and white with a number of dots on each side. Today, we play a variety of games with dominoes, but the rules are the same: each domino has to match its neighbors. The number of dots on a domino corresponds to the total value of the piece (a double-six domino is worth 12 points, for example). A player can place a new domino only after all existing ones have been placed and the players have decided who will go first.
As a domino falls, it converts potential energy into kinetic energy, which is the energy of motion. Some of that energy is transferred to the next domino, providing the push needed for it to fall as well. This continues until the last domino is knocked over.
When Hevesh sets up her mind-blowing domino setups, she uses a version of the engineering-design process. She considers the theme or purpose of her design, brainstorms images and words, and then works out how to best use the physical properties of the dominoes to achieve her vision.
One of the most important parts of any domino set is the foundation. Hevesh uses foam, cardboard, and wood to create her amazing creations, and she has learned a lot from trial and error over the years. The most important thing she’s found, though, is the right balance of weight and friction. Too much weight causes the dominoes to move too slowly, while too little weight makes them move too fast and crash.
The Domino Effect: Taking Control of Your Future
To become the leader in his industry, Doyle took some risks. In the 1960s, he began placing Domino’s pizzerias near college campuses, a strategy that helped him attract the company’s core audience. He also pushed his company to use technology. For example, Domino’s was the first pizza chain to offer online ordering—and now you can even order a pie from your phone! Embracing technology has been crucial to Domino’s success, and they’re continuing to innovate. For example, they recently teamed up with crowd-sourced car designers to create a Domino’s delivery vehicle that is both cool and functional.