JPA Daily Buzz - Edisi 36 2026

page 2 In the early 1950s, commercial jet travel was still new and exciting. One of the first jet-powered passenger aircraft was the de Havilland Comet , developed in the United Kingdom. At that time, it was considered revolutionary. It could fly faster and higher than many aircraft before it. Inside the plane, the design looked modern and comfortable. Yes, it had square windows . Passengers loved them because they offered a larger view of the sky. Unfortunately, engineers soon discovered a serious problem. Several of these aircraft suddenly broke apart inmid-air . Investigations began immediately. Engineers carefully examined every part of the aircraft to find out what went wrong. The engines were not the problem. The pilots were not the problem. The cause turned out to be something very small, the corners of the windows. When airplanes fly at high altitude, the air pressure outside is extremely low. Inside the cabin, however, the air is pressurised so passengers can breathe comfortably. This difference in pressure puts stress on the aircraft structure. Every time a plane takes off and lands, the metal body of the aircraft slightly expands and contracts. Square windows created sharp corners , and these corners concentrated stress on the metal surrounding them. Over time, tiny cracks could start forming in these corners and once a crack begins to grow in an aircraft structure, it can become very dangerous. Engineers eventually realised the solution was surprisingly simple. They redesigned airplane windows to be round or oval. Rounded shapes distribute pressure more evenly across the aircraft's structure. Without sharp corners, stress cannot concentrate in a single point. This greatly reduces the chances of cracks forming. Since then, aircraft manufacturers around the world have adopted this design. That is why every commercial airplane you see today has rounded windows. Millions of people travel safely by air every day. Yet most passengers never realise that the small window beside their seat represents an important lesson in aviation history. Sometimes, safety is hidden in the smallest design details. So the next time you manage to secure that window seat on a flight back to kampung , take a moment to look at the window beside you. Its simple rounded shape is not just for design. It is there to keep you safe while you enjoy that beautiful view above the clouds. If the person next to you is curious why you're staring so seriously at the window frame, you can always smile and say : “ Engineering .” Dr. Diyana Hassim Head of Corporate Communications Public Service Department