@emaemura @general
Perhaps this article might help: Erin Baucom, A brief history of digital preservation
18 pages - must be manageable by students!
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1033&context=ml_pubs

@emaemura @general
By the way, do you mean in the US or worldwide?

@emaemura @general
I would say it is more complicated then that. I try to identify the networking of the preservation pioneers. Around 1994 I see initiatives starting.

@emaemura @general
David is right, I' m doing research about the history of digital preservation. But perhaps the dissertation of Cal Lee Defining digital preservation work from 2005 might help.