The Software Preservation Group has launched a comprehensive C++ History Collection documenting the language's evolution from its 1979 inception through standardization. Curated by Paul McJones, the archive includes design documents, source code, and historical materials covering C with Classes, early Cfront releases, and the standardization process.

Key artifacts include Bjarne Stroustrup's original 1980 technical reports and the February 1985 Release E of Cfront, the first external C++ release. The collection traces milestones like the 1983 naming of C++, the 1985 commercial release, and the 1998 ISO standard ratification. Notable technical developments documented include templates, exceptions, and the Standard Template Library.

The archive serves as an invaluable resource for programming language researchers and historians. By preserving early implementations and design discussions, it provides insight into the decisions that shaped modern C++. The collection joins other language preservation efforts, ensuring future generations can study the evolution of one of computing's most influential languages.