In order to measure the time dependence of the stress relaxation modulus, E, a stress-strain deformation has to precede which induces a stress within the viscoelastic sample from which the sample relaxes. The generation of stress is characterized by a strain rate-dependent and relaxation rate-dependent portion which exhibits a maximum value, E_max, which is called "stress generation modulus". E_max was called the "maximum stress relaxation modulus" in earlier papers. Meanwhile, however, it turned out that a better verbal distinction should be made in future by the new term "stress generation modulus" because E_max is about one order of magnitude larger than E.