The Domino Effect
by If you’ve ever seen a domino show, you’ve likely seen hundreds of dominoes lined up in careful sequence, each one toppling with the slightest nudge. This type of cascade is known as the domino effect. It’s also a metaphor for any action that can affect others in similar ways. Writers can use this idea to create compelling stories.
The word “domino” comes from the Latin dominium, meaning a “little crown.” The name refers to the fact that early dominoes were small enough to fit on the head of a pin or another similar object. The first known use of the term was in the 18th century, but the game was popular for many centuries before that. In fact, it is thought that dominoes originated in the 12th or 13th century in China.
Western dominoes are typically arranged edge to edge on the table in such a way that adjacent tiles are identical (or, in some cases, form a certain total). A typical set has a double-six tile on each end with numbers from two to twelve printed on the other. The number on the lower end is referred to as the pip count; the number on the upper end is the domino value. Some sets have additional special tiles with more than four pips. These are called extended dominoes and are used to play games with more than four players.
Most domino games involve blocking or scoring. A player begins by placing a tile in the center of the table, either by drawing lots or by using the heaviest tile in his or her hand. Then the remaining tiles are placed around it in a circle or on top of one another, with the first player taking turns adding more tiles to the chain by placing them edge to edge with those already on the table. The last player to add a tile wins the round and becomes the starting player for the next.
In addition to being a popular leisure activity, domino is also an excellent educational tool. It helps children develop fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and visual perception. It also reinforces counting and sequencing skills. It can help children understand how a series of events can have an impact on the whole group.
Domino’s pizza chain has built a successful business by focusing on one key strategy: putting stores in the right locations. For example, it puts its restaurants near college campuses, where it knows its customers are most likely to visit.
When a domino falls, its potential energy converts to kinetic energy, which pushes the next domino over. This process continues until the entire chain is complete. Dominoes are also used to make artistic designs. Whether they’re straight lines, curved lines, grids that form pictures, stacked walls, or 3D structures, domino art is a wonderful expression of creativity and ingenuity. You can find many examples of domino artwork on the Internet, as well as instructions for constructing your own.