When one domino falls, it sets off an incredible chain reaction that can multiply its initial input by as much as two billion times! That incredible number is also at play in any good story: its domino effect allows us to follow scene after scene without interruption and build tension until reaching the grand climax.
Lily Hevesh first encountered dominoes at nine years old when her grandparents gave her their classic 28-pack set. From then on she became fascinated with dominoes, creating her own domino projects and posting videos of them online via her YouTube channel Hevesh5. Now boasting over 2 million subscribers she has worked on enormous domino setups for movies, TV shows, events – even Katy Perry album launches!
Hevesh’s art relies heavily on science, with one physical phenomenon particularly crucial to any successful project being gravity. A domino’s top has a high center of gravity which pulls everything beneath it down towards itself – this makes tipping over one domino easy and starting the cascade effect.
Traditional dominoes were typically constructed using materials like bone, silver lip ocean pearl oyster shell (mother of pearl), ivory or dark hardwoods such as ebony. Modern sets are typically constructed out of plastic but may also feature materials like marble, granite and soapstone – with some even featuring crystal or frosted glass carvings!
Every domino features an identifiable pattern of spots known as pips on its face that distinguishes it as one of the game pieces. On its reverse, however, is either blank or has an identical pattern to what can be found on its opposite face; such a domino with equal number of pips across both halves is known as a single domino; any with different amounts on either half constitutes a doublet domino.
Dominoes can be used for numerous activities, ranging from scoring to blocking. Most involve emphatically emptying your hand while blocking opponents’ plays; others provide kids with lessons in numbers and counting.
The Latin root for “flip” or “turn upside down” explains where domino derives its name, but its original source remains uncertain; perhaps its use refers to carnival season masquerade wearers wearing long, hooded capes with masks; or to black dominoes worn alongside white priestly surplices for church services or carnival events.
Domino-like leaders understand the significance of taking small steps that have big effects. She understands how one action could set in motion a cascade of changes that change lives – this makes leadership so essential, with similar characteristics as dominoes: decisiveness, confidence and an eye on possible consequences in every move they make.
