The Incredible Science Machine domino team watch a chain reaction during a record-breaking attempt July 30 in the gym at Trillium Academy in Taylor.
By MICHAEL DUKE
For the Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR — A team of domino builders broke their own national record for the most dominoes toppled in the United States July 30 at the third annual domino-toppling event at Trillium Academy.
The Incredible Science Machine team, using 250,000 dominoes, exceeded the previous American circle field record of 242,000 dominoes toppled they set at last year’s event.
The ISM team – sponsored by Zeal Credit Union — featured 19 domino artists from the United States, Austria, Canada, Germany, and Switzerland. Two of the domino builders are southeast Michigan natives.
Brady Dolan, 13, of Ann Arbor, and head builder Steve Price, formerly of Canton Township now living in San Diego, participated in helping the ISM team break the American record for most dominoes toppled in one setting in a circle field.
Dolan, the youngest member of the ISM team, said domino building came natural to him at an early age, and it has had a large impact on his life.
“Back when I was 6, I found some dominoes and decided to stack them up and make a tower,” Dolan said. “I found that it was very fun so I kept doing it and it eventually led me to doing this event and other huge things.”
Aside from being able to participate in official events, Dolan said partaking in domino building has improved his social life.
“I have a hobby to do now and I now have a lot of friends in the domino community,” Dolan said.
Dolan along with many of his ISM teammates display their domino art on media platforms such as YouTube. Tiffany Sweet, youth and community development coordinator for Zeal Credit Union, said individual builders have received more than 50 million views on YouTube videos they have posted.
Price, lead builder of ISM and Michigan State University College of Engineering graduate, discovered his passion for domino art by watching YouTube videos.
“I saw that people were building amazing domino creations with many different colors and structures,” Price said. “I gave it a try and started my own channel, and I have been doing it for 10 years now.”
Hosting the Incredible Science Machine event has exposed Price’s talent to several major companies such as the Disney Channel, allowing him to do advertising work.
“Some companies have asked me to organize domino events to promote their brands,” Price said.
Price’s projects have been featured on TV shows including “America’s Got Talent” and “The Rachel Ray Show,” and The Discovery Channel.
Experienced domino artists such as Price can help young people pursue their passion for domino building, Sweet said.
“With the Incredible Science Machine we have been able to get a whole new generation of builders and young people interested in this type of activity,” Sweet said.
For more information on Incredible Science Machine and to watch videos of this year’s event, go to www.IncredibleScienceMachine.com.