This paper will be a series of reflections on the concept of 'nuclearity'. Hogg introduced a definition of the term in a recent article in The British Journal for the History of Science. Can we use the concept to develop our understanding of how nuclear anxiety influenced everyday life, urban planning, and local politics in cities? Can transnational comparisions develop our understanding, or should we aim towards localised case studies? Linked to an emerging reseach project, the paper will be an opportunity to share ideas around the problem of historicising nuclear anxiety.