Domino is the generic name for a set of 28 small oblong pieces, each bearing from one to six pips or dots: the pieces are usually laid down edge to edge in lines and angular patterns. Dominoes are similar to dice or playing cards in that they can be used for a variety of games.

Dominoes can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common are bone or silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother-of-pearl) with black or white pips inlaid or painted onto each piece. Other sets are made from woods such as ebony or maple; metals such as brass or pewter; ceramic clay; and even glass or crystal. Such sets tend to be much heavier and more expensive than those made from polymer materials.

In addition to being fun for children to play with, dominoes have a fascinating history. They are among the oldest toys still in common use, having first been developed by the Chinese in the 12th or 13th century. In Europe, they were introduced in the 18th century.

The word domino is also used as a noun, meaning a person or thing that is able to influence others in a subtle way. In the context of business, a domino effect occurs when a small change leads to a chain reaction that impacts other parts of the business in unexpected ways. For example, if a small change in one part of a business negatively affects sales, the company may be forced to cut prices in other areas to offset the lost revenue. This could lead to a downward spiral that eventually hurts overall profit.

Domino’s Pizza CEO Jim Monaghan learned this lesson the hard way in the wake of a disastrous earnings report. He quickly enacted changes in the company culture, including a relaxed dress code and new leadership training programs. He also focused on addressing the top complaint customers had about the company, which was the high turnover rate of employees.

This approach has allowed Domino’s to improve employee morale and retention, which has ultimately improved customer satisfaction and the company’s bottom line.

While the process of writing a novel can be chaotic and spontaneous, every writer knows that a story needs to have a plot. A narrative plot provides readers with a roadmap for what is going to happen, and a strong plot allows authors to develop their characters in an interesting and compelling way.

For example, a character’s motivation for acting in a certain way might influence another character’s motives in turn, resulting in a chain reaction that propels the story forward. This is known as the Domino effect, and it can be used to great effect in novels.

Have you ever tried to build a mind-blowing domino setup? Hevesh follows a version of the engineering-design process to create her elaborate creations. The first step is to consider the theme or purpose of the installation. Next, she brainstorms images or words that might help to convey the message. Finally, she tests out different domino layouts to see how they might work together.