Domino, cousin to playing cards and dice, is a versatile tool for a number of games. It’s also a metaphor for the way that small actions can lead to larger consequences, known as the domino effect. Dominoes are often set up in long lines, and when one is tipped over, it causes the rest of the line to tip. In some places, people even compete to build the most impressive domino chains before an audience of spectators.
The physics behind the phenomenon of the domino effect is actually quite simple. When the first domino is tipped over, its potential energy converts to kinetic energy, which causes the second domino to move and knock over the third. And so on, until the whole pile collapses.
Hevesh creates her mind-blowing domino setups by following a similar engineering-design process. First, she considers the theme or purpose of an installation. Then, she considers how to achieve that goal by laying out the dominoes in the most efficient and effective way. For example, she might arrange the pieces in a zigzag pattern to form a square or create a spiral staircase to reach the final piece.
Another important step is to visualize the end result, which can help with planning and estimating how many dominoes are needed for the design. She often sketches out her ideas on a piece of paper. She might draw arrows to show how the dominoes will fall and then add numbers to identify which pieces are needed.
Finally, Hevesh creates a domino model on a table and tests the design to see how it will work in practice. This is an important step because it allows her to discover any problems with the arrangement before they become a real-world disaster.
This is especially true for a complex creation like a pyramid or tower. Hevesh sometimes uses a computer program called Domino Designer to plan out her designs. This program helps her to calculate how many dominoes are needed for each section of the structure and also shows the effect of changing a certain piece’s placement on the layout.
As for the name, Domino, it’s an Italian word that combines two Latin words meaning “flintstone.” Domino’s founder, Tom Monaghan, named the company after this Italian word because the company began as a small family business in New York City.
The success of Domino’s has been attributed to the company’s strong leadership and its value of listening to employees. In fact, when the company’s former CEO David Brandon heard that Domino’s workers were dissatisfied with a number of things, including their dress code and management training programs, he took action right away. He promoted new changes and listened to feedback from employees, helping the company to turn around its reputation as a top workplace in just a few years. When Doyle became CEO, he continued to emphasize the importance of listening to customers and incorporating their input into the company’s culture.