A domino is a small rectangular wood or plastic block with dots resembling those on dice. Each domino has one or more sides, which may be blank or marked with a number. The most common domino set has 28 unique tiles. A player begins by placing a tile on the table, either by drawing lots or by selecting who holds the heaviest hand. Additional tiles are added as needed to form a layout that is suitable for the game being played. The first player to place all of his or her tiles wins the game.
Dominoes have been around for centuries, with the first known mention of them occurring in China during the Qing dynasty (1602–1841). The Chinese word for domino is pupai and it literally means “a heap of bones.” A domino layout typically has a starting point (usually a double) which is then connected to other tiles via either the short or long end. Additional tiles can then be placed on top of a double, depending on the rules of a specific game being played.
When a player has all of his or her tiles laid out in a valid layout, he or she can then begin playing by flicking the first domino and watching the entire line fall, one piece at a time. This is a great way to relieve boredom or stress and is often used in schools, where students are encouraged to use their imagination and creative problem-solving skills.
Another type of domino game involves placing multiple tiles in a grid pattern and then scoring points by connecting them with lines that run through all of the open ends. This is also referred to as a “train track” and can be a fun way for children to learn about geometry and number theory.
The company behind the pizza chain Domino’s was founded by brothers David and Andrew Brandon in 1967, with their first location opening in Ypsilanti, Michigan. In the beginning, the business struggled because of a high turnover rate among employees. David Brandon, the CEO before Doyle, understood that the best way to improve this was to focus on listening to employees and addressing their complaints. He introduced a more relaxed dress code, new leadership training programs, and a system for recruiting college students to work at Domino’s.
The word “domino” is actually derived from the Latin term for “little emperor.” This was an expression used in medieval times to refer to the person who had a say in decisions at court, and was a clear reference to the fact that the domino’s unique shape reminded people of the tiaras worn by the monarchy’s rulers. Earlier, the word was used to denote a hooded robe that was worn with a mask at carnival season or during a masquerade. The name Domino’s is believed to have been inspired by this garment. The company has since grown into a global franchise with locations in the United States, Canada, the Philippines, and other countries.