April 21, 2026, 9:07 am | Read time: 2 minutes
While you can watch the laundry spin through the window of a washing machine, this isn’t possible with a dishwasher because it doesn’t have a window. But why does one appliance have a window and the other doesn’t? myHOMEBOOK explored the history of these devices.
Why Washing Machines Have a Window
The washing machine was invented in 1767. Back then, the porthole, which is still present in all front-loading models today, actually served the purpose of allowing users to observe the laundry during a cycle. At that time, the washing program wasn’t automated enough for the machine to fill and drain water on its own. This process had to be done manually, and the window was crucial for timing it correctly.
Why Dishwashers Don’t Have One
It wasn’t until much later, in 1886, that the dishwasher came along. By then, technology had advanced to the point where programs could run automatically. Observing the process was simply no longer necessary, which is why dishwashers don’t have a window.
But that’s not the only reason dishwashers lack a window. The door of the appliance contains numerous compartments that serve important functions, such as the detergent compartment. Since there isn’t enough space inside the machine, these had to be placed on the door, leaving no room for a window.