Why are airplane windows not square? A ‘deadly’ secret of science is hidden behind this. Why aren’t airplane windows square? A ‘deadly’ scientific secret lies behind this.

We all must have traveled by air at some point of time and enjoyed the views outside the window. But have you ever noticed why airplane windows are always round or oval shaped? If you think this is just part of the design, you are wrong. There is a very interesting and serious scientific reason hidden behind this, which is directly related to the safety of the airplane and the passengers sitting in it. This size of windows has been mandated since the 1950s, as a small mistake could lead to a major disaster.

Square windows were the cause of the accident

In the early times, airplane windows used to be square, but in the 1950s, some horrific accidents with ‘De Havilland Comet’ planes shocked the whole world. Investigation revealed that the main reason for the crashes of these planes was their square windows. In fact, the stress was highly concentrated at the corners of the square windows. When the plane flew at a high altitude, the air pressure on these corners increased so much that cracks started forming in the metal body. These cracks increased with time and the aircraft disintegrated in the air.

How does the round shape protect from major accidents?

Round windows do not allow this pressure to concentrate in one place. Due to its round shape, air pressure gets distributed evenly around the edges of the window. This means there is no stress at any one point on the corners, keeping the window glass and the aircraft body safe for longer periods of time. This design enables the aircraft to fly at high altitudes and at high speeds without any structural damage. This simple looking curved design is actually a safety net that has saved the lives of millions of passengers.

There is a secret hidden even in the window glass

Not only the shape of the window, but also the glass installed in it is very special. Every window in an airplane has three layers of glass. The outer layer is to withstand external pressure, the middle layer is to prevent any emergency pressure, and the inner layer is to protect from scratches or damage. In addition, there is also a small breather hole which balances the inside and outside pressure and prevents dew or ice from forming on the window. So next time you sit near the window, remember that this round shape is not just for the view, but a great technology for your safety.