Dominoes are one of the few toys that stand the test of time. Their simple yet elegant design is universally appealing to both young and old alike. From lining them up to form shapes to playing the many different games, there is no end to what can be done with this small plastic piece. However, the domino isn’t just a toy; it can also teach us some important life lessons.
The domino effect is the idea that if you change one aspect of your life, it can trigger a chain reaction that causes other related aspects to shift as well. For example, if you stop spending so much of your time on the couch watching TV and eating junk food, your exercise and nutrition habits will likely improve as a result. This principle is widely used in business and can be applied to almost any type of situation.
Lily Hevesh first discovered her love for dominoes at age 9. She would set them up in straight or curved lines, flick the first one and watch as the entire row of dominoes fell. Since then, her interest in the game has grown into a career as a professional domino artist. She works on projects ranging from the traditional 28-piece set to ones that involve over 300,000 dominoes. She has a YouTube channel with over 2 million subscribers and has worked on domino setups for movies, TV shows and events.
Creating these massive displays takes time and planning. Hevesh often tests out each section of the layout before putting them all together. By filming each step of the process in slow motion, she can see exactly how each tile is positioned and make any necessary adjustments. In addition, she uses a grid on the floor to help her plan out her domino art. The grid helps her figure out how many tiles she will need for each section and allows her to easily spot any problems.
Most modern domino sets are made of polymer. They are colored with a white or black surface and have pips on the edge of each piece. However, many people choose to use natural materials for their sets. They are more expensive than polymer, but they have a unique and attractive look. Some sets are even made of precious metals, like silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or ebony.
In addition to being a fun hobby, domino is a great way to practice math and strategy. When you play a game with dominoes, each player must place a domino so that the two matching ends touch. When they do, a chain is formed and the player is awarded points. The number of points earned depends on the number of touching ends, and can be as high as a multiple of five.
When Domino’s first began to lose money, it was CEO David Brandon who realized the company needed to make changes. He started by listening to the employees, implementing new training programs and a relaxed dress code. He even went as far as to speak with workers face to face. His actions spoke volumes to the staff, and he was soon rewarded with a Top Workplaces Leadership Award through a Detroit Free Press survey. His success led to a turnaround for the company that has made Domino’s the second largest pizza chain in the world.