A domino is a small rectangular block with either one or two blank or marked faces, each bearing dots resembling those on dice. Dominoes are often used to play games, including the popular game of domino rally, in which a line of dominoes is set up and then knocked over with a metal pin. Dominoes can also be used to create works of art, such as straight lines or curved lines that form pictures, grids that look like walls, or 3D structures such as towers and pyramids. Dominoes are also a component of some Rube Goldberg machines.
Depending on the game, dominoes are made from various materials and can be printed with different colors or designs. Most domino sets are plastic, but some are ceramic, ivory or bone; some are carved from woods such as mahogany and cherry; others are produced from metals such as brass or pewter; and still others are made from paper or even frosted glass. Some of the most beautiful and collectible dominoes are hand-made from exotic hardwoods such as ebony, with inlaid white or black pips; and some are even produced from a mix of natural materials such as marble, granite, or soapstone.
Most domino games involve removing all of the opponent’s tiles from the board, but some use a limited number of dominoes to limit the number of possible moves and the number of points awarded for a win. Some domino games are blocking or scoring games, while others duplicate card games (and were once used to circumvent religious prohibitions against playing cards). Some of these games require the addition of a number of matching tiles to make a chain, while others allow players to match a pair of adjacently numbered pieces.
Dominoes are also used to make artistic works such as murals and sculptures. They can also be used to teach children counting and number recognition skills.
In fiction, dominoes can be used to illustrate scenes or themes in a story. Each scene domino represents a moment in the story and, when placed together, influence how the next moment will unfold.
While many of us have enjoyed domino rallies, very few have experienced the power of the domino effect in its true form. A 1983 study by University of British Columbia physicist Lorne Whitehead showed that the average domino can knock over objects one-and-a-half times its own size.
Domino’s is a well-known brand of pizza that was founded in 1984, but has suffered from leadership turmoil and financial issues over the years. In 2005, the company was $943 million in debt and was in danger of being sold to another pizza chain, or disappearing altogether.
Domino’s has since recovered, largely due to effective leadership and the introduction of new products that expand its menu beyond pizza. The company has a strong focus on “think global, act local.” This means that it tries to provide an excellent service to customers in the most efficient way possible while making sure to support the communities where they operate.