The Many Uses of Dominoes
Dominoes, cousins of playing cards, are one of the oldest toys and can be played with in a wide variety of games. From professional domino game competitions to just setting them up and knocking them over, they provide a fun way to test one’s skill.
The earliest dominoes had markings on them that represented the results of throwing dice. The pips (or dots) are still used on many modern sets of domino, though they have expanded to represent different combinations of numbers. The number of pips on the tile is an indication of its value and some sets are designed with certain values in mind, such as double-six dominoes.
Most people know that you can use dominoes to make shapes and lines, but did you know that the pieces are also used to create complex structures? Dominoes can be stacked in different ways to form shapes, and can even be used to make sculptures. For example, artist Hevesh has created domino sculptures that resemble buildings, cars and trees.
To create one of these mind-blowing domino setups, Hevesh follows a version of the engineering-design process that she calls “Dominoes for Dummies.” The first step is considering the theme or purpose of an installation. Once she has decided on a theme, she brainstorms images or words that are related to it. Next, she sketches her ideas on paper. Finally, she uses the dominoes to bring those ideas to life.
In addition to building dominoes and creating intricate patterns, some people use them to solve puzzles. These puzzles are typically based on the arithmetic properties of the pips, and often involve totals of lines of tiles and tile halves.
A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, and the ends of each end are marked with a value in the most common variant of the game (double-six). The value on either end may be represented by a number or by an icon. The value on the exposed side of a domino is called its rank. The higher the rank, the more valuable a domino is.
The word domino comes from the Latin dominus, which meant master of the house. The word appears to have come into usage in England and France about 1750. It may have been influenced by the earlier sense of a black and white hooded cloak worn by Christian priests over their surplices. The hooded shape may have reminded people of the domino piece with its contrasting black and ivory faces.
Domino is a popular game worldwide, and it can be found in many cultures, including Native American. In fact, the Inuits, or Eskimos, play a game that is similar to Western dominoes, but it is believed to have been imported from Europe. The game has also become popular in Africa and Asia. People also make and play dominoes in other countries, but the majority of those games are based on imported European designs. Many different materials are used to make dominoes, but most people use polymer or ceramic plastic to manufacture the pieces. The more expensive dominoes are made of stone, other types of wood (such as birch or acacia), metals and, in some cases, natural or dyed bone.
Dominoes, cousins of playing cards, are one of the oldest toys and can be played with in a wide variety of games. From professional domino game competitions to just setting them up and knocking them over, they provide a fun way to test one’s skill. The earliest dominoes had markings on them that represented the results of throwing dice. The pips (or dots) are still used on many modern sets of domino, though they have expanded to represent different combinations of numbers. The number of pips on the tile is an indication of its value and some sets are designed with certain values in mind, such as double-six dominoes. Most people know that you can use dominoes to make shapes and lines, but did you know that the pieces are also used to create complex structures? Dominoes can be stacked in different ways to form shapes, and can even be used to make sculptures. For example, artist Hevesh has created domino sculptures that resemble buildings, cars and trees. To create one of these mind-blowing domino setups, Hevesh follows a version of the engineering-design process that she calls “Dominoes for Dummies.” The first step is considering the theme or purpose of an installation. Once she has decided on a theme, she brainstorms images or words that are related to it. Next, she sketches her ideas on paper. Finally, she uses the dominoes to bring those ideas to life. In addition to building dominoes and creating intricate patterns, some people use them to solve puzzles. These puzzles are typically based on the arithmetic properties of the pips, and often involve totals of lines of tiles and tile halves. A domino is normally twice as long as it is wide, and the ends of each end are marked with a value in the most common variant of the game (double-six). The value on either end may be represented by a number or by an icon. The value on the exposed side of a domino is called its rank. The higher the rank, the more valuable a domino is. The word domino comes from the Latin dominus, which meant master of the house. The word appears to have come into usage in England and France about 1750. It may have been influenced by the earlier sense of a black and white hooded cloak worn by Christian priests over their surplices. The hooded shape may have reminded people of the domino piece with its contrasting black and ivory faces. Domino is a popular game worldwide, and it can be found in many cultures, including Native American. In fact, the Inuits, or Eskimos, play a game that is similar to Western dominoes, but it is believed to have been imported from Europe. The game has also become popular in Africa and Asia. People also make and play dominoes in other countries, but the majority of those games are based on imported European designs. Many different materials are used to make dominoes, but most people use polymer or ceramic plastic to manufacture the pieces. The more expensive dominoes are made of stone, other types of wood (such as birch or acacia), metals and, in some cases, natural or dyed bone.