For many people, air travel is an attractive prospect as it can be quite enjoyable, especially thanks to the beautiful views available from the windows. Did you know that when not in use, airplane windows are automatically rounded? Have you ever stopped to consider why aircraft windows take on a circular or oval shape instead of being square in design?
The most straightforward answer, of course, is that they are structural components that serve a practical purpose. It has been proven time and again that an airplane window generally works better in the oval shape than in a square shape for loads, as which involves evenly distributing stress throughout the entire window. It is also important to note that when subjected to extremes, an oval shaped window will shatter more kindly compared to a square shaped window.
In addition to their greater structural efficiency, rounded corners reduce stress concentration on the corners of the window frames. Aircraft design is constantly evolving however, although it does not change overnight; there is always room for improvement. In the future, we may see airplanes with all 4 edges of the window framing and the corners as sharp. Do you envision a future where airplane windows do not have round edges or a frame at all?