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Dice?
Dice or the singular die have been a game element for over 5000 years! They are cube-shaped or polyhedron shaped throwing items that add randomness to games. Historically dice are light-colored and have 6 or more faces. Traditionally, each face or side is marked with black dots representing numbers. One dot for the number one and so on. A six-sided dice most often will equal 7 when combining the top and bottom numbers. For example, a one on top and six on the bottom, to equal seven. More recently, dice now come labeled with numbers or symbols like poker dice.
The History of Dice
Dice are the oldest known game elements. They originate from ancient China where they preceded other game genres like the board game Dominoes. Also, a domino tile shares similarities in design to the die. During the same era, printing also made playing cards available. Where previously papyrus scrolls were used as the main element of games. Dice are thought to have reached Europe by the 14th century. They were rare handcrafted items until some point in the 1800s when the industrial revolution brought plastics that made mass production of dice possible. Previously to plastic dice, we know today, these game elements were often made from animal bone or ivory. Although other materials were used as well like bronze metal, onyx, and marble stone.
