You’ve probably seen a long line of dominoes set up carefully so that when one is tipped over, it will cause the rest to tumble in a precise sequence. Dominoes are also used in games to build structures and create elaborate visual effects. A skilled domino player can build intricate layouts that showcase a variety of colors and patterns. Some even include music and dance. In a domino show, builders compete to set up the most amazing and imaginative domino effect or reaction before an audience of fans.
A domino is a rectangular tile with a number of dots or spots on both ends. Depending on the type of domino, some have blank faces and others have numbers or letters ranging from one to six. They are similar to playing cards and dice in that they can be used to play a wide variety of games. Traditional domino sets consist of 28 tiles. Each has a unique marking, called a pip, on one end and is marked with a number or letter on the other. Some large sets have more readable Arabic numerals instead of pips.
When people speak of the “domino effect,” they usually refer to a series of events that starts with one action and leads to much larger—and often catastrophic—consequences. However, the term can be applied to almost any situation where one small change causes a chain reaction that results in greater-than-expected consequences.
In writing, the domino effect helps readers understand a character’s motivations and actions, especially when they go against societal norms. If a hero does something that would normally be considered immoral, for example, a writer needs to provide a strong enough reason to convince readers to give the hero a pass or keep liking him as a hero.
The word “domino” comes from the Latin for mountain or hill. It may have been used to refer to a hooded cloak worn over a mask during carnival season or at a masquerade ball, and earlier still, it denoted a cape worn by a priest over his surplice. The term also referred to the ebony black domino pieces that contrasted with the ivory surplices of early Christian clergymen.
When Hevesh builds her amazing domino setups, she uses a version of the engineering-design process. She begins by considering the theme or purpose of the display and brainstorming images or words that might be appropriate. She then makes a rough sketch of her layout and tests each section separately. Those that work get incorporated into the final design. She builds the biggest 3-D sections first, then adds flat arrangements and finally lines of dominoes that connect all the sections together. She also records her tests in slow motion, which allows her to make exacting corrections as needed. For the most stunning designs, Hevesh sometimes creates as many as 20 test versions of each section before combining them into an overall layout. Her work is so impressive that she has become an international star of the domino world.