We’ve all seen those domino constructions where, after tipping the first piece ever-so-slightly, the rest fall in a beautiful cascade of rhythmic movement. Those are domino effects, and they’re the perfect metaphor for how stories work: they cascade from one event to the next.
A domino is a square or rectangle-shaped tile with identifying marks on two sides and blank or identically patterned on the other side. The identifying marks are usually, but not always, an arrangement of dots, or “pips,” like those on a die. A domino also has a base, which is a square or rectangle with a central hole for holding the tile in place.
Dominos are used to play games of chance, skill or strategy and may be used alone or in combination with other gaming materials such as cards or dice. They can be made of either wood or plastic, and come in a variety of colors and designs. The most common type of domino is the double-sided, rectangular plastic tile. Some sets are color-coded to identify which domino is which, although this is not necessary to play the game.
Each player draws the number of tiles permitted by the rules of the game being played. When a player has drawn a tile that he is able to play, he adds it to the tiles in his hand and plays it. The other players do the same thing until a domino is played or all players have drawn all their tiles.
In some games, part of the score is obtained by counting the pips on the tiles left in the losing players’ hands at the end of a hand or game. Generally, these are the ends of doubles (unless the double is a spinner). The player who played the first double of the game may be required to count both ends of that tile or both halves of a domino with an open end (i.e., a 5-5 domino).
During her build sessions, Hevesh creates test versions of each section of the structure. She films these tests in slow motion, allowing her to make precise corrections to the design. This allows her to build structures that are as intricate as possible while still functioning properly.
After each section is complete, Hevesh checks that the pieces work together properly. This ensures that the final product will be exactly as she intended. She then places them in the correct order, starting with the biggest 3-D sections and working her way down to smaller flat arrangements.
The word domino is derived from the Latin dominium, which refers to a cloth worn over a priest’s surplice during carnival or a masquerade ball. It was later applied to a long hooded cloak. The modern sense of the word traces back to the French form, Dominoe, which may have been derived from an even earlier sense, of a black domino contrasting with the white priest’s garment. The term is believed to have been in use by the early 17th century.