Dominoes are small rectangular wood or plastic blocks, each with one side bearing a pattern of dots like those on dice. The other side of each is blank or identically patterned to the first. The identifying marks on dominoes are called pips and are usually colored black or white to distinguish them from the blanks. A domino with matching pips on both ends is called a double and has the highest value.
The game of domino has been popular worldwide for more than a century, but its origin is uncertain. In the 17th century, a Chinese author used the name pupai for dominoes in a work that included a description of games using them. Dominoes were also known in Europe at that time, but they were not standardized and had different shapes and colors than those found in China. The first large-scale domino set was produced in France around 1750, but the earliest sets were much smaller and did not include blanks.
Creating complex domino art isn’t easy, even for professional woodworkers. However, amateur craftsman Nick Hevesh has developed a way to create stunning, mind-blowing domino tracks with tools from his grandmother’s garage. Without instructions or expensive computer-controlled equipment, Hevesh has been able to produce domino art resembling buildings, rocket ships, and even the Golden Gate Bridge.
When creating a domino track, it is important to consider the direction and speed of each piece that will be placed. Then, it’s necessary to plan out a general outline of how the track should look. The design should be based on the theme or purpose of the installation, as well as how much space is available for the track. It’s also essential to calculate how many pieces are needed to achieve the desired effect.
While many people have fun setting up dominoes and watching them fall, the real thrill is when they are created to a precise design. The best domino designs are a series of steps that are designed to work together, just like a carefully crafted story.
One of the most difficult parts of the process is arranging all of the pieces in the right order. It’s crucial to make sure that all of the tiles are positioned correctly so they can form a chain reaction. A mistake in this step can ruin the entire project.
As each domino is placed, it’s important to keep in mind that a tile must be played so that the ends of the two matching sides touch. Generally, a domino is played to a double touching at its center, and then to other doubles later in the line. This ensures that the shape of the chain develops as it should.
When the first domino falls, much of its potential energy is converted to kinetic energy, or the energy of motion. This energy is then transmitted to the next domino, providing the push it needs to topple over. The sequence continues until all of the pieces have fallen.